SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in Zimbabwe to Host Bulawayo Solar Fair

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) in Zimbabwe is set to host a Solar Fair in Bulawayo this coming Saturday 11th July 2015 at the Large City Hall Car Park.

The  Solar  Expo, organised in partnership with Government, Solar Companies  and  provincial authorities, will bring  together  more than  25  major  solar  companies, to display products, ranging from lights and solar home systems  to  agro based solar solutions.  

"The  solar fair will  create marketing spaces for SNV trained youth entrepreneurs  in partnership  with the  central distributors   to engage  the market   and showcase the wide variety of holistic, quality  solar products and solutions that are available and affordable. In Bulawayo over 40 youths, have been trained in solar technology and business entrepreneurship and they will be exhibiting at this solar fair" said the SNV Renewable Energy  Sector Head, Chandi  Mutubuki  Makuyana.



The Solar fairs are part of SNV's public awareness and communication strategy that has contributed to the development and expansion of the solar market in the rural and peri urban areas in Zimbabwe.  Running under the theme, 'Solar Kumusha, ISolar Ekhaya" and "Zvirikufaya ne/Ziyakhipha nge" solar, the publicity and awareness campaigns also involves broadcasting of promotional programmes on radio and television stations.  Radio Zimbabwe, with a listenership of more than 2,6 million  and  ZBC TV's 'Emerging Giant'  programme will also broadcast some of the Solar Fair  events.  

SNV has struck strategic partnership agreements with key Solar Companies inlcuding, Total Zimbabwe, Solar Shack, Samansco, Gemwitts  and  GreenDot as part of this project. Total Zimbabwe in partnership with SNV have already trained 360 youth entrepreneurs drawn from rural and peri-urban communities in marketing of its new brand of lights and lanterns, Awango.

The Solar Fairs will also include financial advisory support by Financial Institutions including FBC Micro plan, who will explain how customers who wish to install solar home systems can access finance.  
"We have indeed seen the lives of communities in peri-urban and rural areas transformed by the use of solar products and every rural household deserves to have solar solutions for power and lights." - Chandi Mutubuki Makuyana, Sector Leader for Renewable Energy at SNV.