Patrick Ngowi.
Beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end
of the world there will not be, another child like him.” -
Pablo Casals. Such children
become World Economic Forum – Young Global Leaders. And so, thanks to a loan
from his mother, Patrick started his small business selling mobile phones.
Clearly an entrepreneurial head on his shoulders, Patrick
Ngowi, Founder and MD of Helvectic Solar Contractors, has shown and
demonstrated vision. Parallel to this foresight is the ability to action his
vision. These are certainly then the true traits of a global Leader. This is
definitely an African leader.
We take a depth look at a young man, beyond his years in
vision and thought and find out more about his underlying passion that has
yielded success.
Patrick, thank you for your time.
V: So some history on your ascension in the business world
highlights you were nine when your mom gave you a loan. What was life like back
then?
PN: My siblings and I
come from a very humble background; both my father and mother are teachers by
profession. Education was the number one priority in our home. I was born in Tanzania but attended primary in Botswana and South
Africa where my father worked before coming back to Tanzania for my
secondary school education. When I was
15 years, cell phones had just started to gain popularity in Tanzania,
scratch recharge cards were scarce so I mobilised fuel station pump attendants
in my hometown of Arusha to sell calling scratch cards – vouchers. I made
relatively good profits at the time. By the time I was 18 years; I finished my
secondary education and had a gap year before going to university. It was
during that time that I took a loan from my mother and a free return ticket to
Hongkong was offered to me by a close family friend and I started trading in
mobile phones, doing regular trips to and fro. I did the business for 1 year
and it was during that time, I spotted the long term opportunity in solar and
decided to venture into it. Initially, due to the technical background required
in the trade, I had to study about renewable energy, focussing on solar power
then setup shop with our first office in Arusha and embarked on domestic and
small scale installations. I did all the installations myself at the time.
V: Having evolved into the businessman you are in turn the
positive repercussion is a role model of course. How were you raised and from
then to now, what is the bond like between yourself and your mother?
PN: My siblings and I
grew up with teachers for parents. They were not just normal teachers, but
dedicated teachers who loved their profession. I’m happy to say that my
siblings and I attained valedictorian positions in our respective classes
throughout. We would have schooling at school and schooling done at home –
tuition, of which my mother handled that part. Focus on education remained key
when growing up for all of us. I look back at all that I was taught throughout
that various stages on my life and I am eternally grateful as it made me who I
am today. Knowledge is invaluable and discipline towards work cannot be
substituted. I was taught on the importance of discipline and hard work. There
was no reward without effort.
My mother and I are very close, like any mother and son
naturally are. Her trust in my work has never wavered and in turn moulded me at
the time when I needed it the most, boosting my confidence. My father has always
been there to advise me along every step of the way. I am blessed that I have a
very supportive and loving family. Taking the path to do business wasn’t an
easy swallow for academicians but my parents and siblings were there to offer
support and even manage my office, throughout each stage.
V: We bet you were not expecting this question. How much did
your mother loan you?
PN: My mother gave me the equivalent of $1,800.
Being a teacher, Mum couldn’t afford more at the time.
V: How many phones did you sell when doing the phone
business?
PN: When doing the
cellphone business, my target market was the mass market in the rural areas.
They could only afford to spend $20 – $25 at the time. I sold well over 5,000
units.
V: Every person has at least one positive, strong
characteristic. Which one or few were accentuated as just a kid running a
business?
PN: Discipline,
trustworthy, industrious, creative, resourceful, punctual and loyal.
Gone are the days that we say ‘no hurry in Africa’
or ‘hakuna matata’. International business is done with global checklist, it
doesn’t matter if the company is European, American or African; performance is
expected.
V: You’ve built a successful company at a very young age.
Looking back what do you appreciate most?
PN: I appreciate and
value every lesson I learnt along the way. Truth, honesty, integrity and zeal
towards work. I believe that our current success is a product of all the many
challenges that we have overcome, together with the awards we have received
with great humility. I remain humbled by all and hope we get offer more in line
with our company’s vision and mission for many more years to come.
V: As a result of your efforts with Helvetic Solar
Contractors and Helvetic Group, what is the actual impact in Tanzania and
how much is there still to do?
PN: Helvetic Solar Contractors has installed over 2,000
small and medium scale solar power and solar water heating systems in Tanzania government institutions, United Nations
works, homes, school, clinics, dispensaries, hospitals, off grid lodges and
hotels in Tanzania.
We have also been awarded contracts in neighbouring countries like Kenya, Uganda
and Rwanda.
With Helvetic Group we have supplied over 1MW of solar
panels for direct use, to retailers, for projects in the region as wholesalers.
We built a strong online platform so we are able to interact with regionally
with great ease and 24 hour support system.
Helvetic Solar Contractors has a lot more that it can do. We
have rolled out 26 agents in Tanzania
that are already selling our small package product range. We are looking at
increasing that portfolio so that we have more agents in the region so as that
we continue our direct link with rural communities that need our products the
most. I am happy to say that our agents cover every region of Tanzania and now also taken on 3 agents in Uganda. We have
been able to penetrate and build a strong network with electricians and
hardware stores throughout.
We welcome investors, strategic partners and project
promoters to further our company’s vision and mission towards rural
electrification in Tanzania
and rest of East Africa.
V: Traditionally, alternative energy systems are expensive.
How does Helvetic Solar solve this problem, especially for Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa?
PN: I am happy to say
that the Government of Tanzania is an example for other countries in Africa to follow. Solar and Wind products have NO VAT or
import charges. This incentive has enabled us to lower the cost for the end
user.
We are members of associations and NGO’s that have tailored
outreach programmes towards rural electrification.
We work with donors and nongovernmental organisations
closely in solar power projects throughout the region.
We also offer direct credit facilities for solar power
installations for rural communities that have good track record.
At Helvetic, we strive to lower our cost for products and
installations by offering FREE installation package throughout Tanzania as connection charges for solar in Tanzania had
been far too high before Helvetic Solar Contractors came into the scene.
V: Helvetic sources their technology from the US and Europe.
Last year I visited China
and there is some pretty cool things happening there. Do you foresee any future
surge in competition from the east?
PH: Indeed. Our company’s vision remains geared towards
offering quality solar products at an affordable cost. China has already overtaken US and Europe in solar panel production.
The company is always looking for quality, affordable but
reputable suppliers. It is true that at the moment US and European products
remain expensive and they really haven’t focussed enough on the potential
market in Africa, both small scale and large
scale.
We are in talks with leading manufacturers in US and Europe so as to promote their products more in the
region. It is my hope that this will yield results. Meanwhile, China remains a
force to be reckoned with.
V: What is the biggest trade-off for Africa
in terms of alternative energy at the moment?
PN: Africa is currently
experiencing energy deficiencies both for domestic and industrial use. In order
to achieve its development aspirations, Africa
must increase its energy supply to catch up to, and keep up with, growing
energy requirements, while avoiding adverse environmental consequences.
Simultaneously, the international community has reached consensus that power
generation based on fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) is the major contributor
to climate change and aims, therefore, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The main source of energy in Tanzania is still biomass
(fuel-wood and charcoal), which accounts for about 85.5 percent of total energy
consumption. Only about 14 percent of the population has access to electricity,
but power consumption is growing at the rate of 11 – 13 percent per annum. Where electricity is
available, the quality of supply is poor and blackouts and other service
interruptions are common. The relatively high cost for businesses associated
with maintaining a reliable supply of electricity via use of private generators
during blackouts puts pressure on Tanzanian firms to increase product prices to
recoup these costs, thereby becoming less competitive against similar products
from firms in other countries.
V: Do you think setting up solar research farms i.e. funded
by manufacturers of wind or solar technologies could be cost effective for Africa, as an initial alternative of course?
PN: Indeed. Feasibility studies have been done to prove that
it is quite cost effective and the case in point. It remains the interest of
manufacturers to work with companies such as Helvetic to grasp the
opportunities that lie ahead with such ventures.
V: Any chance of you looking for the next nine year old
“Patrick Ngowi” via a funded programme?
PN: A lot has
transpired over the last nine years and I believe that a lot more is yet to
come in the next nine years. I am a entrepreneur and passionate
environmentalist. ‘Going Green’ is my primary goal and without a doubt I will
engage in any sound programmes to further my interests.
V: Lastly, Patrick Ngowi’s ideal getaway?
PN: I am proudly Tanzanian and happy to say that our country
is truly blessed with great scenery and unique locations ranging from Serengeti
plains, Ngorongoro crater, Kilimanjaro mountain, Zanzibar Island and many more.
For me, these are my ideal gateways. It will take me awhile to complete a full
circle around this and it surely does it for me at the moment.
Again, thank you (@PatrickNgowi) for taking the time to talk
to Ventures Africa.
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