Solar Sister knows women are a key part of the solution to the clean energy challenge. Centering local women in a rapidly growing clean energy sector is essential to eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable solutions to climate change and a host of development issues. This is why Solar Sister invests in women’s enterprise in off-grid communities. By empowering women who understand and are committed to their communities, Solar Sister reaches populations that aren’t reached by business-as-usual energy models.
Local women are enterprising, creative, hard working, and committed to improving the wellbeing of their families and communities. In northern Nigeria, Nanbet, a formidable young single mum, sells solar lights and clean stoves in her community. She benefits and her community benefits. Solar Sister invests in women like Nanbet because everyone should have access to clean energy. With support and training local women can lead the sustainable energy for all movement and leave no one behind.
To date, Solar Sister has launched and supported over 3,500 clean energy businesses reaching over 1.5 million people with clean energy products in underserved communities across Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Solar Sister has been chosen as a finalist by the Zayed Future Energy Award three years in a row and has been named a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year.