On March 9, 2022, the Philippines signed the Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI) letter of intent with leading global multinational corporations including RIFE International,Akamai, Amazon, Apple, Ikea, Iron Mountain, Lady Lawyer Foundation, Lululemon, Meta, Ralph Lauren, REI, and WeWork during CERAWeek in Houston.
RIFE International is a globally focused award-winning energy efficiency, sustainability, and renewable energy firm, assisting organizations in adopting and implementing clean energy, sustainable construction and energy efficiency best practices. The company’s services deliver significant long-term savings, vastly improve access to affordable power in developing areas of the world, and improve the human condition globally.
CEDI, which is led by the Bureau of Energy Resources at the US Department of State in collaboration with the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance and other stakeholders, assists countries and businesses in working together to advance shared clean energy goals. CEDI seeks to stimulate private-sector investment by leveraging corporate clean energy commitments and government policies that enable corporate procurement of renewable energy in leading countries such as the Philippines. Private sector demand for renewable energy has the potential to unlock more than $2 Billion in private sector investment in power infrastructure in the Philippines.
RIFE, which stands for Real Estate, Infrastructure, Facilities, and Energy, has completed a number of dynamic projects and clean energy engagements, for Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations across the United States, Africa, and Europe. RIFE has worked in office buildings, educational institutions, manufacturing facilities, malls and hotels, multi-family buildings amongst others to improve energy efficiency and implement affordable clean power generation from solar and other renewable sources.
RIFE International’s CEO and Founder, Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, is at the forefront of pioneering energy efficiency and clean energy solutions in the United States and globally. He has been featured by Harvard Business School as an “Inspiring Climate Trailblazer” discussing his work in implementing energy efficiency strategies in local communities, commercial and industrial markets, and in underserved areas of the world, hence the mission of RIFE International.
“Global access to affordable clean energy and energy efficiency solutions with high deployment is my hope for the energy industry 40 years from now,” Osei-Sarpong.
Osei-Sarpong has received numerous awards and honors as a result of his personal and entrepreneurial success, including Energy Innovator of the Year, Maryland United States Business Adapts Honoree, Energy Efficiency Contractor of the Year, Radford University Outstanding Alumnus, Washington Business Journal 40 under 40, Johnson Controls Inc. Global Leadership Award, Top 100 MBE, and Power 30 undefeated.
RIFE is collaborating with Fortune 500 firms in Africa to achieve massive goals. Osei-Sarpong takes part in high-level roundtable discussions about green solutions all over the world, especially in Africa. One of the most recent engagements, as an expert in the energy community was at the Enit Africa Conference, which was held between June 7-9, 2022, in Cape Town and was focused on collaborating to fast forward Africa’s Energy Transition.
“RIFE is focused on bridging the implementation gap for clean energy projects in Africa, through partnerships with investors, development finance institutions and industry that will allow the right solutions to be deployed where they are needed the most,” Osei-Sarpong.
The company is quickly making its name at the forefront of championing Net Zero, as RIFE explores new funding opportunities to grow access to energy efficiency and green solutions around the world. The company is also ensuring that the projects it supports in Africa are not overlooked.
RIFE in late 2021 completed a Green Building Project in an underserved community in Ghana. The impact project provides green educational infrastructure to St.Andre High School, a senior high school in the Central Region of Ghana. This project included a multipurpose assembly hall powered by a rooftop solar grid-tied system with battery storage, ensuring 24hr continuous power for the facility, thereby providing reliable power for educational use.
RIFE is also developing, financing, and constructing severalSolar and Energy Efficiency projects in Ghana for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers, as well as Small and Medium Scale Enterprises(SMEs) in Ghana. The company is looking to offset more than 5.3 Million tons in clean energy project in the country by 2022, as well as provide its customers with cheaper,more reliable electricity through solar energy.
RIFE is in the works of extending its electro-mobility services to Ghana and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa by championing efficient and reliable charging stations infrastructure. RIFE provides services within the e-mobility value chain in the United States and other parts of the world, including the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, where it has partnerships with several leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including Tesla.
“One of my priorities will be to work with Elon Musk to establish the Department of Futuristic Innovations, which will lead to the creation of a planet with zero net energy,” Osei-Sarpong.
About Kwabena- Osei-Sarpong
Recognized as an expert in climate-change solutions, Osei-Sarpong has established a reputation for excellence in energy innovation, and as a result, his company has completed work for an impressive list of high-profile clientele in the United States and Africa.
In addition to his work through RIFE International, Osei-Sarpong has consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (Executive Office of the President of the United States) and was recently appointed to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC) by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo. As a frequent global speaker on climate change and international development, Osei-Sarpong remains a dedicated advisor to organizations around the world, with an impressive list of appointments, including the United States Department of Commerce Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC), Maryland/D.C. District Export Council, Maryland Clean Energy Council, Georgetown University Real Estate, Radford University Government and Business Leaders, Enactus, and Africa Utility Week/Power-Gen International.
Osei-Sarpong has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Radford University, a master’s degree from Georgetown University, with a focus on sustainable development, and an executive education certificate from Harvard Business School, where he was recently featured as an “Inspiring Climate Trailblazer.” A firm believer in leadership excellence, Osei-Sarpong serves as a Master Coach through the Skinner Leadership Institute in Washington, DC., and a mentor to many entrepreneurs, often engaging directly with business students from around the world. In addition, through his philanthropic focus, Osei-Sarpong remains dedicated to giving back to his community through numerous organizations in the United States and Africa.
