Many Africans living in rural areas still lack access to electricity. To help tackle this challenge, Solar Sister supports African women entrepreneurs in establishing renewable energy businesses that bring solar technology to “last-mile” communities. The small community of Odeh sits on the banks of the Niger River in southeast Nigeria. One village leader has a tiny generator that lights one flickering bulb. Other than that, there is no power here. The closest place to charge a mobile phone is a 15-minute boat ride up the river and the nearest electrical grid is an hour away. Across the African continent, in northern Tanzania, Ranch community encompasses a wide expanse of flat land, dotted with thorny acacia trees and home to pastoralist Maasai families. Though not far from the national grid, several miles down the main road in Longido town, this community has no access to electricity of any kind. These are just two examples of the “last-mile” communities – low-income, often remote, and unlikely to see grid power any time soon – where Solar Sister works. In thousands of similar communities, Solar Sister’s model of women-driven clean energy entrepreneurship brings solar technology to power family homes, local businesses, churches, schools, and...
Written by Fid Thompson