TienTega Wendpayangde is a youth born in the “land of upright people”, Burkina Faso. He is an Alumnus of the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice Cohort IV (2024). Before attending the Nairobi summer school training, he was working in a non-governmental organization, Young Energy Actors, founded in 2019 where he was mobilizing young people to be key players in the success of energy transition through various activities.
From the summer school training, he acquired knowledge and deepened his understanding of the links between energy transition and social equity, enhancing his expertise in climate policies, advocacy and inclusive decision-making.
According to him, Nairobi summer school on Climate Justice was a networking base whereby, the training gave him a valuable opportunity for collaboration where he met a partner who is also a Cohort IV Alumnus Attaib Aoussouk Islamane from Niger; and are currently working together on Launching the Nigerian Branch of Young Energy Actors. This strategic expansion will help mobilize more young people to promote fair and sustainable energy solutions in West Africa.
Burkina Faso has struggled with insufficient access to reliable and affordable energy, with only 26% of the population having access, due to insufficient generation capacity, reliance on costly imported fuels and a weak electricity grid infrastructure. 80% of the energy supply derives from biomass (firewood & charcoal).
To end this struggle, TienTega co-founded PIC Energie SARL, a company offering electrification solutions to rural and urban communities aimed at ensuring socio-economic emergence. He also acquired a foundation in recycling used electrical equipment for the manufacture of basic solar kits. He worked on a project to popularize clean cooking technologies and combat deforestation in Burkina Faso and Niger.
Tientega equipped around Thirty (30) Municipalities with solar pumping systems for the practice of off-season Agriculture. This will have no harm to the environment and will help transform the lives of people living in remote localities.
He has initiated several projects such as the Energy Debates, the National Forum of Young Energy Actors and the Renewable Energy Agri-Food Industry dedicated to discussion and analysis of issues related to energy, environment and sustainable development, empowering women and promoting agricultural products as well as support the development of the renewable and efficient energy sector.
His continued hard work has been fruitful whereby, he has been able to support 50 businesses and startups in securing funding and optimizing their business models in the renewable energy sector. Through the training, 20 young graduates have been able to access professional opportunities. He has been able to represent Burkina Faso at COP 28 & 29 and has won several National awards such as the Second Prize for the best solar energy sector development initiative.
Over the years, TienTega has succeeded in building a solid community of young people committed to its vision and mission in several countries in Africa such as Benin, Mali and Cote D’Ivoire and internationally in France and Morocco.
However, inadequate funds remain an obstacle to the implementation of these initiatives and projects despite the support from various donors. Also, the security situation in Burkina Faso since 2016 has significantly limited the ability to operate in certain regions and has reduced the attractiveness of investments in the renewable energy sector.
