Empowering Cubal: Solar energy and irrigation systems center promotes local development

3 de July de 2024

Adriana Jamba, Coordinator of the Rural Women's Cooperative, emphasizes the significance of this renewable energy project in empowering women within the community

@UNDP Angola | 2024

Embracing sustainable energy solutions for a brighter future, UNDP Angola Country Office has been expanding its portfolio in the Agricultural sector and Renewable Energy with a holistic approach. These efforts support rural communities and smallholder farmers by addressing the challenges they face in their businesses and living conditions.

In 2022 and 2023, through TRAC funding, UNDP and its partners from civil society, public, and private sectors implemented projects to enhance the productive capacity of small and medium-scale cooperatives in Benguela and Huila. This included the provision of solar irrigation systems, solar energy systems, processing equipment, and technical training to be of use in the cultivation of fields, processing of crops and lighting in homes.

As a result, in April 2024, the Cubal Administration in Benguela, together with UNDP Angola, inaugurated the Solar Energy Center and Irrigation Systems, installed in that locality under UNDP's TRAC2 funds. These funds were made available in 2022 to support the Government of Angola's initiatives promoting renewable energies.

"Thanks to this initiative, our irrigation system has transformed how we cultivate crops. It enables us to produce more efficiently, ensuring greater yields that benefit both our community and municipality. This project is truly invaluable in fostering sustainable development and enhancing our collective prosperity," says Adriana Jamba.

This initiative aims to promote sustainable businesses led by young people and women, providing access to clean and affordable energy. It also aligns with UNDP's commitment to increase clean energy access for 100 million people across Africa, strengthening rural cooperatives, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, and reducing economic inequalities.

These systems are an important step towards supporting local agricultural cooperatives and strengthening local sustainable development

@UNDP Angola | 2024

Thanks to this initiative, 50 families in the town of Cubal now have access to renewable energy through photovoltaic systems, as well as:

Construction of a photovoltaic station completed, with a capacity of 44.16 Kilowatts allowing the irrigation of 14 Hectares of land distributed between the 3 cooperatives.
Construction of 2 Product Transformation Centers, allowing the processing of local production.
Acquisition of 2 Mills, 2 Grinding Machines, and two 3-wheel motorcycles.
Technical Capacitation in Agribusiness Knowledge of 251 Farmers, of which 67% are Women.
3 Cooperatives with a total of 200 people, of which 121 are women, benefited from the solar energy panels for the irrigation system.

The ceremony was presided over by the Municipal Administrator of Cubal, H.E. Dr. Paulino Banja, assisted by the Programme Specialist & Head of the Sustainable Economic Development & Inclusive Growth Unit, Dr. José Novais Félix. The event was attended by the UNDP Angola Acceleration Laboratory team, representatives of the Benguela Provincial Government and Traditional Authorities, the Technical Team of the Cubal Administration, Non-Governmental Organizations, the local population, among other distinguished individuals.