#Impact
March 04, 2025
Abdullah Nuckcheddy’s mission to preserve Mauritius’ natural heritage with the EcoHaven project
Mauritius hosted its first SolarX Accelerator Programme, an impactful initiative designed to fast-track solar innovation across Africa and APAC region, on 8 and 9 April 2025. As long-standing advocates of renewable energy, ENL and Rogers Groups are proud to support this regional milestone, reaffirming their commitment to building a resilient, low-carbon future.
Launching the SolarX Accelerator Programme
This pioneering programme, facilitated by Business Mauritius in partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), brought together 35 promising startups from across the region for two days of immersive learning, networking, and showcasing - providing them with the tools and mentorship they need to succeed in the solar energy sector.
The International Solar Alliance, an intergovernmental organisation with 123 Member and Signatory countries, was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015. The ISA works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a sustainable transition to a carbon-neutral future.
Sophie Desvaux de Marigny, Chief Sustainability Executive at ENL and Rogers Groups shared:
Renewable energy is a key pillar of our sustainability and inclusive development strategy. Through this programme, we’re not only accelerating startups but also strengthening South-South cooperation—crucial for our region’s long-term resilience and prosperity. Since 2016, Turbine — ENL’s startup incubator and accelerator — has supported over 150 founders in transforming early-stage ideas into investment-ready ventures. By backing the SolarX Accelerator Programme, we are helping position Mauritius as a regional hub for clean innovation — reflecting our deep commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and supporting breakthrough solutions.
Contributions and programme highlights
ENL and Rogers are contributing primarily in-kind support, covering rental of meeting venues, catering, accommodation for the international participants and transport and logistical arrangements. By providing these essential resources, we help ensure that the accelerator workshops run smoothly, strengthening the groundwork for scalable solar solutions across the region.
The two-day event kicked off at The Pod, Vivéa Business Park, where participants dove into expert-led sessions and hands-on workshops focused on the solar industry's potential and challenges.
Day two moved to Voilà Bagatelle, starting with a guided tour of the Bagatelle Mall's rooftop photovoltaic installation for a practical view of solar technology at work. The day continued with insightful talks and visits to major solar projects around the island, offering real-world examples of solar energy in action.
The event wrapped up with a networking session at Voilà Bagatelle, providing opportunities for attendees to build connections and discuss collaborations, highlighting local innovations and industry advancements.
Spotlight on Ecoasis, a subsidiary of ENL Group
As part of the programme, Didier Philogène, CEO of Ecoasis—a subsidiary of the ENL Group—shared his two-decade journey in local energy innovation. His journey began with leveraging Mauritius' sugar industry by-products for thermal energy and has since expanded to include cutting-edge solar and renewable technologies across diverse sectors such as textiles, hotels, and real estate. He shared, “We started in an era where solar energy was unexplored, despite the abundant sunlight. Our passion wasn’t just to fill a market gap but to drive sustainable development innovatively.”
His commitment has guided Ecoasis through significant transformations, adapting to market needs while maintaining a strong local identity in a globally competitive environment. Today, with operations extending across Africa, Ecoasis stands as a testament to homegrown clean-tech leadership, continuously pioneering new technologies that meet the evolving demands of the energy sector.
He emphasises:
If we hadn’t continually sought to introduce new solutions to the market, Ecoasis wouldn’t be the leader it is today. Our growth has been fueled by a relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability.
Why does this initiative matter?
The SolarX Accelerator Programme is more than just a training event; it's a catalyst for substantial growth in the renewable energy sector. By participating, ENL and Rogers help to:
As the SolarX Accelerator Programme progresses, both ENL and Rogers remain dedicated to fostering projects that have a lasting impact on our planet and society, affirming our role as leaders in creating a sustainable future.
