Goal

To ensure that rural electrification provides sustainable development for communities by empowering local entrepreneurs. Through field work in rural Sierra Leone, four pillars have been identified to enable rural entrepreneurs to convert electricity into economic activity: energy services, business education & coaching, financial services, and adequate infrastructure. The e-Luma is an innovative platform that brings together these four pillars under one roof. The physical component of the e-Luma is a modern and strategically located business center where buyers, sellers, and producers can congregate. Entrepreneurs will be able to rent shops within the e-Luma Business Center (EBC) and use electricity to generate income through three targeted commercial activities: retail, services, and production.

Foundation

Project Yele was set up after summer 2007, where Project Yele went to Sierra Leone to conduct a total of five projects. Inspired by their journey and experiences Project Yele was founded.

In a cooperation with the Lion Heart Foundation (a Dutch NGO) the team designed and developed a 250 kW Hydro Electric Power Plant in Yele, which is currently being constructed. By placing a Hydro Electric Power Plant sustainable energy will be available for the next 20 years.

Latest news:

With Startfund granted, the first construction phase of the e-Luma Development Center has started. For more details, click on our blog.