Aftrak, which is an accessible, economic solution to energy access in sub-Saharan Africa deploys green solar microgrids in communities allowing energy access for all. We support these with solar micro tractors which help farmers significantly increase crop yields and revenue. This additional income ensures sufficient funds are available to support the microgrid in a long term, sustainable manner. Aftrak is a finalist and is one of five remaining projects battling it out for the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy and a $1million funding boost.
The project, led by the University’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology alongside Malawian NGO, Tiyeni, the Consortium for Battery Innovation and VARTA by Clarios, combines solar microgrids and tailored tractors to help smallholder farmers increase their yield and income by reducing the barriers of Deep Bed Farming. The additional revenue is then put back into creating more green energy.