NoorNation's Journey to Solve Energy, Drinking Water, and Irrigation Challenges

The Egyptian startup NoorNation aims to contribute to solving the problem of unaffordable electricity and unsafe drinking water in many communities, a problem affecting more than 2 billion people worldwide. It also seeks to help Egypt become a manufacturing hub for renewable energy systems and components, according to the company's co-founder and CEO, Ragy Ramadan.

A Passion for Renewable Energy

After studying electrical power and machinery engineering at Helwan University in Egypt, Ramadan discovered a deep passion for renewable energy. This passion was further nurtured by job opportunities in the Gulf and Germany in the energy sector. He worked for Al-Abdulkarim Company in Saudi Arabia, specializing in electrical distribution, where he was a project engineer specializing in business development for electrical systems and solar energy.

Ramadan also completed energy training courses in Germany and became a certified photovoltaic solar energy trainer at SRH University. He also earned the original Renewable Energy Professional (REP) certification from the Association of Energy Engineers in the United States.

Ramadan's passion for the renewable energy sector led him to launch the Green Energy Academy for Renewable Energy in Egypt in 2011, as he told Egypt Innovate. The academy offers training programs accredited in Germany, professional consulting services, and sustainable engineering solutions, and has received accreditation from the German SHRH University.

The academy provides its services in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Tanzania, and Germany, according to Ramadan, who noted that the training covers renewable energy, grid-connected photovoltaic systems, solar energy systems, and other related topics.

LifeBox Unit

Ramadan's experience in the energy sector led him to seek an innovative solution for producing electricity and potable water simultaneously, using remote monitoring technology. He recognized a market need for an innovative solar energy product, which led him to co-found NoorNation in 2022. He explains that the company manufactures innovative energy products for producing clean water and electricity to support remote agricultural communities. According to Ramadan, the company produced the LifeBox unit, a solar-powered unit that is quick to operate and install. It produces both electricity and potable water for agricultural and tourism use, essentially acting as a mobile infrastructure for water and electricity production. This addresses a problem faced by millions worldwide. The unit produces up to 1,000 cubic meters of potable water per day and has a capacity of up to 250 kilowatts.

Ramadan adds that the unit generates electricity from solar energy and simultaneously possesses technology to convert any non-potable or highly saline water into potable water suitable for drinking, agriculture, or livestock and poultry farming. Using the unit prevents tons of carbon dioxide emissions and saves millions of pounds that would otherwise be spent on diesel generator sets or the traditional utility grid. The unit serves rural villages and desert environments that lack access to clean energy or potable water, according to Ramadan.

Challenges: The company faced several challenges in its early stages, including competition from existing systems and convincing customers of its offerings, according to Ramadan. He notes that another challenge was integrating the technology and remote control system with solar energy to add value for customers. Other challenges included securing financing for customers to purchase the units and persuading investors to invest in the product.

The company overcame these challenges by relying on a team skilled in handling technological matters. It also convinced customers of the quality of its product, which contributed to its success, according to Ramadan, by winning several awards and securing investments and grants totaling $800,000. Awards

The company has received numerous local, regional, and international awards, including the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects Award launched by the Egyptian Ministry of Planning during the COP27 climate conference. Ramadan notes that over 6,700 projects participated in the competition, and NoorNation won first place in the startup category, receiving a prize of 750,000 Egyptian pounds.

The company was also selected by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to receive comprehensive technical support and attend workshops focused on developing the company, its business model, and its concept, according to Ramadan. He adds that the company will also receive consultancy and training sessions from the University of Cambridge, with support from the EBRD.

Ramadan further states that the company was one of only ten projects selected to participate in the prestigious African Climate Youth Incubation Program in Morocco, as an environmentally friendly startup in Africa.

The company also won first place in an environmental innovation competition organized by the Swiss organization One Creation. Ramadan points out that NoorNation was the only Egyptian, Arab, and African company to qualify for the final stage of the competition. UNICEF also selected NoorNation's co-founder, Mohammed Khaled, as one of the top young innovators in the field of energy and sustainability this year.

The company also won the Solar X Grand Award in 2023 from the Solar Alliance of India, a regional and international award, and received the Agricultural Innovation Track from the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center in the UAE. The company has also expanded its operations in the UAE.

Achieving Growth

Ramadan adds that NoorNation has achieved 73% sales growth in 2024, and this year's growth is expected to reach 300% compared to 2024.

The company has implemented 31 Lifebox units in Egypt and one Lifebox unit in Sharjah, and is currently in the process of exporting two Lifebox units to Tajikistan.

Ramadan believes there are significant growth opportunities for the company in Africa, where many regions suffer from a lack of access to clean drinking water, agricultural resources, or clean energy. The company is focusing on East Africa for expansion, emphasizing that it seeks a positive environmental impact alongside financial gains. Ramadan aims to positively impact more than one million people in Egypt and Africa initially.