NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), a joint initiative of the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), will bring together key public and private sector change makers from Central Africa for a two-day training session on the effective implementation and scale up of digital climate advisory services (DCAS). The invited representatives include Bio Agro-Business SAS (BAB)(link is external) and GreenHouse Ventures(link is external) Limited of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, respectively.

The training will be delivered by FOKABS(link is external), a social enterprise that offers innovative technologies and advisory services for climate change mitigation, adaptation, finance, capacity building, and technology transfer in developed and developing countries. Participants will explore new knowledge, best practices and the latest innovations and approaches to promoting the adoption of digital climate advisory services in the region. The training will feature design and implementation of DCAS projects that reach the last mile and enable farmers to improve food security and climate resilience.

Climate change, including flooding, drought and extreme weather, continues to impact traditional farming methods, making it harder for farmers worldwide to secure livelihoods. However, modern technology – from smartphones to satellites, drones and special sensors – and innovative digital tools are revolutionizing farming practices.  By providing accurate weather forecasts, recommendations for adapting to climate variations, and optimized crop management strategies, technology can play a key role in enhancing sustainable agriculture.

Time: 8:00 – 16:30 (GMT+1) / 4:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST

PV manufacturing capacity is rapidly expanding in China, US and elsewhere as different regions look to establish localized supply chains. And with demand in many regions suppressed by a lack of grid capacity as well as other, often political, reasons, PV module oversupply may be with us for some time.

This situation may have the positive effect of weeding lower quality suppliers out of the market, and leading to better negotiation power for the buyer. But there are also challenges. For instance, the industry is in the midst of a technology transition from PERC to TOPCon and HJT, and there are questions around how to negotiate a flexible supply agreement. Furthermore, there are quality risks associated with leaving modules in a warehouse for a long period between manufacturing and installation.

In this pv magazine webinar, produced in partnership with Clean Energy Associates (CEA), we take a closer look at the situation that has led to this oversupply situation. We’ll examine the various risks that this situation presents to module buyers and offer advice on the most effective strategies to manage them.

We’ll be joined first of all by Christian Roselund, senior policy analyst at CEA, who will provide some background on the differing conditions in U.S. and global markets and the U.S. trade and industrial policies that create the specific conditions in the U.S. market. Engilla Draper, Senior Manager, Supply Chain Management with CEA will follow up with a look at the risks and opportunities that this situation presents for the industry. And finally, CEA Engineering Manager Claire Kearns-McCoy, will take us through some of the specific risks to module quality and performance that oversupply and low prices can present.

pv magazine Webinar content
• Overview of the current oversupply situation in the PV module industry and how we got here
• Industry risks and benefits that this situation presents for buyers
• Opportunities and challenges related to supplier contract terms that buyers should be aware of
• Module quality and performance concerns as a result of the oversupply
• Q&A

Questions can be submitted beforehand or during the webinar through a chat window. Mark Hutchins, magazine director at pv magazine, will be moderating this webinar.

Registration for this pv magazine Webinar is free of charge.

Time: 11:00 AM ET

Africa is on the front lines of Climate Change yet faces a staggering $1.3 trillion annual funding gap. Join us on the 25 of April 2024, 1500 EAT for our live virtual pitch, showcasing five exceptional Impact enterprises in the Climate and Agriculture sectors (Agro-Climate) and backed by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI). Facts and Figures Africa is the most exposed region to the adverse effects of climate change, despite contributing the least to global warming. – UNEP Sub-Saharan Africa relies heavily on rain-fed agriculture, accounting for 95% globally, making it highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. – AfDB In 2015, four African countries ranked among the 10 countries most affected by Climate Change: Mozambique (1st), Malawi (3rd), Ghana and Madagascar (joint 8th) – AfDB By 2025, almost a quarter of a billion Africans will face water scarcity, according to WHO. Five of the 10 countries most impacted by climate change are in Africa: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Sudan, and Niger. – 2021 Global Climate Risk Index Please sign up. We will be sharing the investor pitch decks ahead of the live session.

Time: 8:00 AM ET

Join us for an enlightening and informative webinar under the ARE Innovation for Electrification Series on the topic of ‘Renewable Energy Generation and Green Hydrogen.’

Delve into the forefront of sustainable energy solutions as we explore and learn about different products, services and solutions contributing to the rural electrification efforts. The pivotal role of clean technologies and the promising potential of green hydrogen are proving to be the silver bullet towards achieving universal energy access in line with SDG 7 and clean energy transition. Discover how these cutting-edge innovations are revolutionising the renewable energy landscape, offering scalable solutions to electrify the last mile.

Our expert speakers will showcase their solutions and dive deep into the intricate mechanisms, environmental benefits, and real-world applications of Renewable energy generation and green hydrogen technologies. The showcase will be followed by an audience interaction.

Time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM EDT

Join CEO, Joris Boon, in Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition‘s webinar on April 25th on Scaling Access to Menstrual Products in the Global South: A Market-Based Approach. This webinar marks the first in a Joint Learning Series, co-hosted by RHSC’s Menstrual Health Supplies Workstream and Market Development Approaches Working Group, aimed at exploring market-based approaches for menstrual health.

The webinar is co-hosted with Hystra, and speakers will explore the key findings from Hystra’s recent investigations into using market-based approaches to scale access to menstrual products throughout the Global South. Hear what AFRIpads has to say about opportunities in global menstrual markets.

Time: 09:00 AM ET

The NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge at the Stern School of Business is NYU’s premier springboard for the university’s most promising ventures. Part startup accelerator, part venture competition the Entrepreneurs Challenge is an 8-month long program that takes NYU ventures further, faster.

This year, more than 100 students and alumni from 19 schools and divisions across NYU’s global campuses entered to compete for over $225,000 in prizes and pro bono startup services. Over the past eight months, these teams have engaged in how-to workshops and one-on-one coaching – all in the hopes of taking their ventures to the next level.

On April 26, the finalist teams will pitch off for a chance to win the grand prize for each of their perspective tracks.

1:00 – 4:00 PM | TEAM JUDGING

In the early afternoon, each finalist team will pitch to a panel of notable entrepreneurs and industry experts. Guests attending this portion of the Final Pitch-Off will be able to not only observe each team’s full-length presentation but also listen to feedback and comments from the judges.

New Venture Competition

Exact pitch times will be shared closer to the event date.

Technology Venture Competition

Exact pitch times will be shared closer to the event date.

Healthcare & Biomed Venture Competition

Exact pitch times will be shared closer to the event date.

5:00 – 7:00 PM | PITCH SHOWCASE & AWARDS CEREMONY

In the evening, all finalist teams will give abbreviated versions of their pitches in the famed Paulson Auditorium of the NYU Stern School of Business. Guests attending this portion of the Final Pitch-Off will be able to vote for their favorite ventures and then see who receives the Audience Choice Awards and the Grand Prizes!

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Evening Reception & Celebration

After the pitch showcase & awards ceremony, teams and guests are then invited to stay for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and networking.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Open to NYU affiliates and the general public.

PRO TIPS

• The Team Judging portion is for OBSERVATION ONLY. Guests are asked not to comment or ask questions during the team pitches. Exact pitch times will be shared shortly.
• For the Showcase and Awards Ceremony, doors will open at 5:30 pm. Come early to get a good seat!

• For guests planning to consume alcoholic beverages during the cocktail reception, please bring a valid photo ID.

Time: 1:00 – 7:30pm EDT

Join us at our unique journey to delve into the principles of social entrepreneurship. Listen to key experts from the sector and get first-hand insights from social entrepreneurs. The digital expert-led session are covering topics of Impact Entrepreneurship and the Tripple Bottom Line, Impact Data Generation, and Impact Story Telling:

30.04.2024 at 12:00 CET | Impact Entrepreneurship and the Tripple Bottom Line: Learn the difference between purely profit-oriented and impact-oriented enterprises; and what it means for the journey as an entrepreneur (vision, mission, target group for fundraising). Understand the positive and challenging aspects and how to navigate the triple bottom line of social & ecological impact and financial sustainability.

Time: 6:00 AM EST