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27.02.2015 Press Release

The World Bank and the iSpace Foundation kick off the Accra Negawatt competition with the Challenge Definition Day

27.02.2015 LISTEN
By World Bank Group

Accra, Ghana, March 2, 2015  The World Bank and the iSpace Foundation will officially launch the Accra Negawatt, part of the international competition - the Negawatt Challenge - empowering communities around the world to innovate around urban energy issues. In addition to Ghana, the World Bank is organizing a similar competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nairobi, Kenya; and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The Accra Negawatt will start with the Challenge Definition Day convening different groups of government and nongovernment stakeholders to discuss the most pressing energy efficiency issues the City of Accra is facing. These issues are to be addressed through relevant software, hardware, and new business model solutions identified through the Negawatt Weekend on March 14 & 15th and refined through a special acceleration program for selected teams in March-April. A teaser could be viewed here and video footage of the event can be provided upon request.

What: TheChallenge Definition Day is an event during which diverse groups of stakeholders will deliberate on the most pressing energy efficiency challenges in the City of Accra

Who: The iSpace Foundation, with support from the World Banks Information and Communication Technology Practice and partner institutions: WeDesign Services consultancy and Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology

When: Monday, March 2
Negawatt Challengeis an international competition empowering communities to innovate around local energy issues. Using a multi-phase open innovation methodology, this initiative aims to transform cities into more sustainable and energy efficient places. Cities all over the world have been selected on the basis of their governments commitment to energy efficiency and low carbon growth, as well as the existence of dynamic and growing entrepreneurial and technology sectors.

The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. It is not a bank in the ordinary sense but a unique partnership to reduce poverty and support development. The World Bank Group comprises five institutions managed by their member countries.

The iSpace Foundationis a co-working tech and creative hub for startups, innovators, social entrepreneurs, creators, developers, technologists, designers and change makers in Accra, Ghana. Founded in 2013, iSpace fills an incredible gap in the ecosystem by providing an open environment where community, talent, management, entrepreneurship, business mentorship and research meet to join forces and innovate, while facilitating the connection of great minds, ideas and talent.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
The iSpace Foundation
Alison Roadburg
Phone: (233) 244-575-306
Email: [email protected]
The World Bank
Kennedy Fosu
Phone: (233) 302-214-142
Email: [email protected]

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