FONBOL ENERGY SERVICES NIG LTD
| In this interview, the Business Director/Chief Operating Officer of Fonbol Energy Services, Mr. Idris Fonahanmi, shares the vision and activities of the organization in the clean cooking industry in Nigeria. FONBOL Energy Services Nigeria Limited is a renewable energy products distribution company advocating and promoting access/adoption to clean electricity, fuel efficient and improved cooking stoves, and promoting WHO certified drinking water filter/purifier for the poorest as well as advocating for Open Defecation Free (ODF) for most vulnerable people. The company was registered as a private limited organization and incorporated/licensed on the 29th August, 2017 |
| but became operational in 2019 to advance clean cooking advocacy, tackle energy poverty, promote access to clean/efficient fuels, and to support efforts towards achieving the SDGs 6 & 7. The company’s core values passion for fairness, diversity, equity and inclusion. FONBOL Energy has over the years become a leading provider of expertise in the promotion, supply chain management, and sharing knowledge for regulators of liberalized energy and finance market in Nigeria. Our key expertise is in strategies and market penetration for access to finance, energy and environmental resources for Nigeria’s poor. FONBOL Energy has a proven track record of managing complex and multi-disciplinary projects. The organization promotes improve firewood and charcoal cookstoves for SSMCOOK Brand, and Burn’s Manufacturing (Jikokoa Charcoal Brand). Our organization is also working on bringing African Clean Energy brand of ACE1 into Nigeria. This is the only hybrid energy technology that can cook, charge and light home using solar energy. Finally, we have our own 100% made in Nigeria Industrial/Commercial Iron Cooking LPG Stoves. Our organization also market and distribute renewable/solar energy products like small lantern for lighting and charging purposes in partnership with SunKing and SunFlare. We are also into the marketing, sales and post-sales services for ANERN Group for Residential & Commercial Solar Street Lights Solutions. In addition, we promote drinking Water Filter/Purifier for use in the rural areas and communities prone to water borne diseases. We are in partnership with PURE-EASY. We also partner with QSH to promote Containerized Cubicle Toilets for victims of flood and other disasters, and those in IDP camp |
| What does your organization seek to achieve in the Nigerian cooking energy market? The organisation seeks to invest in and distribute clean cooking stoves for the poorest and most vulnerable in Nigeria. To actively participate in the Fuel Efficient and Clean Cookstoves value chain. FONBOL Energy is expected to contribute to the following objectives in Nigeria: |
| Access to clean cooking technologies in communitiesImprove the health of households in communities by reducing the respiratory risks due to the use of an inefficient cookstovesReduce pressure on forests in communities by using improve cookstoves and less gender inequalityImprove the living conditions of women in communities.To support the transition, adaptation of clean cooking and thereby contributing to SDG 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 13 in Nigeria. |
| What are the opportunities identified in the country that have facilitated the growth of your clean cooking activities? The opportunities that Nigeria has great potentials and the huge population of those lagging behind in the usage of Clean Cooking Technologies and Efficient Fuel(s) has been our driving force. FONBOL Energy has in the cause of selling cooking stoves discovered that most End-users at the base of poverty pyramid also have taste, choice and values that need to be respected. The quality of stoves that we are selling has eliminated this risk. Our stoves are Tested & Trusted. FONBOL Energy has ensure that the stoves that we are marketing and distributing uses less fuel and affordable to the end-users in the medium to long run. Access to carbon credit finance will be able to augment the FOREX volatility. Another opportunity is the Climate Change Bill recently assented to by the Nigerian Government through President Muhammad Buhari. Job creation and the empowerment of women seem to be increasingly important. How do your clean cooking activities help drive employment generation and the empowerment of women? The Managing Director/CEO of FONBOL Energy Services is a great woman and I am a He for She advocate. Our Team is made up of 80:20 in favor of women. The company also has a policy of credit sales to encourage/motivate and support women working within/with the organization. Finally, our Clean Cooking Stoves is being used by 100% percent of our staff to assist them benefit from the SDGs activities of FONBOL Energy Services. If you are asked to advise the federal government of Nigeria on policy options, what are the three most important things the government can do to expand the market? The three most important things the government can do to expand the market for clean cooking include: Provision of policy that supports importation of clean cooking equipment & accessories at a concessionary rate. Strengthening of the Testing Laboratories for clean cooking stoves and efficient fuels in Nigeria. Transiting organically from open fire – improved cooking stoves – LPG/Biogas – solar cooking – induction/e-Cooking. If an enabling environment is not created by government, what future risks do you envisage? If an enabling environment is not created by the government, the clean cooking sector will experience drastic reduction in the adoption of clean cooking technologies. Where do you envisage your organization to be in the next 5 years? In the next 5 years, we plan to commence local assemblage of SSMCOOK and thereby commencing the gradual process of having the manufacturing brand in Nigeria; commence the local production of efficient fuel(s) including briquettes (Carbonized and Non-Carbonized) and Pellets; grow the local market of FONBOL Energy Industrial/Commercial LPG Cooking Stoves; serve a larger/critical mass of the population; and source for partners that will see the bigger picture and invest in our business. What risk does your organization currently face and what is your biggest challenge? The major risk we face is the fluctuation of local currency in relation to foreign currencies. We are trying to be creative by working towards the importation of equipment that will encourage dependence on local raw materials as Nigeria is naturally endowed. The biggest challenge is having an INVESTOR who believes in the DREAMS of our Company and cooperates with us. What are your suggestions for moving the cooking energy market forward in Nigeria? To move the cooking energy market forward, government should come out with a Clean Cooking Policy acceptable to operators and the policy should be fully implemented with everyone working towards same objectives. Is there any other thing you would like to share? FONBOL Energy will continue to supply brand & models of cookstoves that meets six attributes: Exposure; Efficiency; Convenience; Safety; Affordability and Availability. SOURCE: Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking, |
