In addition to permanent exchange of information between supply and demand-side through the project partners, the two sides were brought together at matchmaking events. These created an opportunity to meet for suppliers and potential buyers of Renewable Energy technologies. Like this, a demand oriented market place for those technologies has been provided, where suppliers can do business by competing with each other on a quality, price and service level.

The matchmaking events were organised, where possible, as side events of trade fairs, technical exhibitions, promotion events, information days etc., which also attract additional potential customers for renewable energy products. They provided opportunity for bilateral business negotiations. In addition, local energy executives were invited for discussions on planning, financing and application of renewable energy systems (RES). This created a forum for the RES community to present their visions and to receive feedback from policy makers to enhance planning security.

Several match-making events have been organised in the target countries while taking different strategic approaches. Events ranged from individual consultations so as to meet the specific demands of SME-GS and the pilot project, to “first ever” technology shows for the general public. These exhibitions were attended by major suppliers of the region. The purpose of the exhibition was to showcase RETs which could be used in business and allow for matchmaking between suppliers and demand side of RET. Back-to-back with the exhibitions round-table discussions were organised. Participants and policy makers entered into a dialogue on multi-level support for productive RE applications.

For company profiles of some of the companies that took part in the match making events, please refer to the Company Profiles page.

In Botswana, the matchmaking exhibition was held on 24-25 Nov. 2006 and was officially opened by the Acting Director of Energy Affairs Division, Mr Fanile Mathangwane. It was organised back to back with a training on “Energy requirements and most efficient RET” and a training on “Marketing and business presentation”. Right after the session, participants could apply their newly gained knowledge in practise when participating in the RET exhibition.

In Zambia, the exhibition was held on Dec 1-2, 2006, this was the first RET exhibition ever held in Zambia. It has been attended by all major suppliers who exhibited their products.

In South Africa, a public exhibition on RET was held within the framework of the Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Conference at the Cape Town Convention Centre in June 2007. The event was hosted by the Western Cape government and co-faciltated by OneWorld and INSABA. There were 32 exhibits in total to include financiers, suppliers and government departments involved in renewable energy. 

In Namibia, the match-making event was held as a side event of a conference titled “Namibia’s Electricity Crisis” which was organised by INSABA in collaboration with other Namibian RE players and programmes. 10 exhibitors, mostly commercial energy technology suppliers had stalls inside and outside to demonstrate water pumping equipment, PV systems, solar cookers, wood-saving stoves and an educational RE trailer that demonstrates various business ideas for productive use of RE. For more information on this event, click here.