Our Manifesto

 

 

PROJECT WITH MEANING

We want to solve real problems and work on projects that have meaning. This is why we are entrepreneurs.

 

GIVE BACK

We had the privilege of a top education and never lacked anything. As a personal philosophy, we believe in giving back.

 

SURGING DEMAND

1.3 billion people in the world live without electricity, and they all are well aware that this is not right. They demand what all of us take for granted.

 

STATES ARE HELPLESS

In Benin and many other developing countries, the State does not have the resources to address that demand in a reasonable timeframe. Populations should not have to wait.

 

NGOs ARE OUTGUNNED

For decades, NGOs have tried to solve this issue. But the number of people lacking electricity has not decreased. An entrepreneurial approach can change the game.

 

BIG CORPORATIONS ARE BEYOND CONFUSED

Big companies do not have a clue of what should be done, other than distributing solar gadgets or implementing one-shot projects for PR purposes.

 

POWER:ON IS ON A MISSION

We can win because we are independent, passionate and we know that care is more important than technicalities. We do not build minigrids for the sake of it, but because we want to trigger development and make the lives of rural people easier.

 

COURAGE

Africa’s challenges should not be belittled, but we will certainly not ignore the progress that has been made. What we do takes courage and determination. We will not tolerate fatalism, desolation or self-pity. Life is hard, be harder.

 
 

Do you agree with us? Then support us, we need it

We know how to end the electricity access crisis and we won't stop until it's done

 

Meet the Team

On our way to the stars

 
Tristan Kochoyan, Power:On founder

Tristan Kochoyan

Louise Abalounorou, Power:On cofounder

Louise Abalounorou

We have known each other since 2009, when we both worked in a Beninse NGO focused on education and microfinance. One day, Louise took me on a trip to Igbérè, a very remote village in which she had previously worked to fight against excision.

It was the first time I had been in a village so remote. We were really cut off from the rest of the world.  The people there lived a very tough life, without access to running water or electricity.

This was such a shock that now, our mission is to provide electricity to the remotest parts of the country, and most importantly, we want people living there to realize they have the power to change the future.

 
Jean Barka
 
 

Jean Barka

Jean used to live in Natitingou, Louise's hometown, and is now Power:On's local employee in Igbérè. His dedication to our mission is the reason why Power:On is a success.

 
 
Jacques.jpg
 
 

Jacques Bourbon

Special thanks to Jacques, an amazing tech guy with a lot of heart. He designed Igbérè's grid, trained local workers to build it and taught us how to make it work!

 
 

Our small team changed the life of an entire village. Imagine what we can do with more people

We need 20,000 supporters to be able to launch a crowdfunding campaign and replicate a solution that will solve the electricity access issue for 1.3 billion people

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