Impact Makers: Ragy Ramadan

Delivering clean energy and safe water to underserved communities By Climate Champions | November 15, 2024

NAME

Ragy Ramadan Ahmed Shehata

TITLE

Founder & CEO, NoorNation

LOCATION

Cairo, Egypt

ABOUT

Ragy Ramadan Ahmed Shehata is the Founder & CEO of NoorNation, a startup that delivers innovative climate and sustainability solutions to underserved communities.

NoorNation’s flagship product, LifeBox, is a solar-powered infrastructure that provides both clean energy and safe water to remote areas in Egypt, MENA, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Under Ragy’s leadership, NoorNation is tackling two fundamental challenges in these regions: access to reliable energy and clean water.

MOTIVATIONS

“While travelling through underserved regions in Upper Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the arid areas of MENA, I saw firsthand the lack of access to both energy and water for rural communities and agricultural areas. This experience highlighted the disparity with urban areas, where we enjoy 24/7 electricity and fresh water at our fingertips.

What struck me most was that the core issue isn’t just a lack of access to energy but the severe absence of essential infrastructure. It became clear that traditional energy and water systems are unlikely to reach these areas. This realization led me to consider an alternative: what if we could make energy and water infrastructure decentralized, mobile, quick to deploy, and user-friendly?

Imagine having continuous access to clean energy and safe water, wherever you are. These are essentials for survival and growth, and that’s the vision behind what we call ‘LifeBox’.”

IMPACT

NoorNation, under Ragy’s leadership, has transformed rural communities by deploying LifeBox, a decentralized solution that:

• Generates up to 200kWp of clean energy and produces 600 cubic metres of desalinated water per day.
• Has mitigated 1,650 tonnes of CO2 emissions while preserving 73% of the land traditionally required for solar energy systems, eliminating the need for extensive concrete foundations.
• Benefits over 1,200 people in rural farming areas,
• Has desalinated 5.5 million litres of brackish water.
• Has saved farmers $215,000 in energy costs and reduced reliance on harmful diesel generators.
• Installed 1,250 kWp of solar capacity, producing 3 GWh of clean energy.

Achievements

• Became a Certified Renewable Energy Professional R.E.P. by the Association of Energy Engineers in the US
• LifeBox recently became a Labelled Efficient Solution by Solar Impulse Foundation endorsed by Bertrand Piccard himself
• Noornation won the SolarX Grand Challenge in 2023 as one of the most innovative and scalable solar energy solution providers across Africa
• Received first place in the COP27 National Initiative for Smart Green Governorates.

CHALLENGES

NoorNation faced challenges when deploying LifeBox in remote, infrastructure-poor areas. To address this, the team designed LifeBox as a plug-and-play system, minimizing installation time and the need for civil works. Flexible payment models like PayGo helped communities adopt the system, while partnerships with local governments and NGOs facilitated funding and regulatory approvals.

GOALS

By 2030, NoorNation aims to empower 1 million people across Africa by scaling  LifeBox. The goal is to provide abundant decentralized, solar-powered units that address the urgent need for clean energy and safe water in underserved communities, contributing to global climate action and economic development.

RAGY’S ADVICE

“Take a moment to learn more about our business and its role in achieving a water-energy-food nexus. While 99% of renewable energy companies focus solely on clean energy, NoorNation leverages energy to drive sustainable water generation, supporting broader needs like agriculture, health, and wellbeing – one product at a time!”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Whether you’re a business, investor, or individual, you can support this mission and make a difference. Here’s how:

For businesses and investors

• LifeBox offers a scalable and sustainable solution for regions that lack access to reliable energy and clean water. NoorNation is determined to close its seed round of raising $US 1 million before the end of 2024.  By investing in NoorNation or similar initiatives, you can help expand LifeBox’s reach and provide vital resources to underserved communities across Africa.
• Collaborate with NoorNation to deploy LifeBox in more regions. By partnering with governments, NGOs, or other stakeholders, you can help bring clean energy and water to areas that need it most.

For NGOs and policymakers

• Advocate for and support community-driven solutions like LifeBox that empower local populations while addressing global climate goals. Work with local governments and organizations to secure funding and regulatory approvals for expanding access to clean energy and water.

For individuals and consumers

• Share the story of LifeBox and NoorNation’s mission to raise awareness about the importance of clean energy and water in underserved areas.
• Encourage others to support similar initiatives or donate to projects that address energy poverty and water scarcity.
• Choose climate-conscious products: As consumers, your choices matter. Look for and support businesses that are committed to sustainability and use renewable energy in their operations.

CONTACT

www.noornation.com

Ragy Ramadan LinkedIn Profile

Keep updated by following the LinkedIn Page here