Solar Sister Interview

#647 Great.com Talks With... Solar Sister

In many parts of Africa, energy poverty remains an everyday reality. Families living in remote rural areas often depend on hazardous sources of light and fuel, like kerosene lamps and wood-burning stoves. These methods are not only dangerous but also hinder economic development. Solar Sister, founded in 2010, set out to address this issue by providing a powerful combination of clean energy and women’s empowerment. But Solar Sister’s mission is more than just energy access—it’s about building a sustainable future led by local women entrepreneurs.

Today we talked with Finorah Manhala, the Kenya Country Director of Solar Sister, about how By focusing on women, Solar Sister is tackling two major challenges: the energy crisis and gender inequality. The organization recruits women from rural areas to become Solar Sister Entrepreneurs (SSEs), who are then trained to distribute solar-powered lights and clean cookstoves to their communities. It’s a direct way to improve lives while giving women the opportunity to create their own livelihoods. This model not only ensures clean energy reaches the most remote households but also supports women in becoming leaders in their communities.

Clean Energy Meets Women’s Entrepreneurship

Solar Sister’s approach centers on the idea that women are the key to unlocking access to clean energy in underserved regions. The organization equips women with the tools, training, and support needed to run their own solar businesses. These SSEs bring solar lights, mobile phone chargers, and clean cookstoves to families who otherwise have no access to sustainable energy. The impact of these products is enormous: improved air quality, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, better educational outcomes for children who can study at night, and reduced health risks from inhaling harmful smoke.

By fostering entrepreneurship, Solar Sister does more than just deliver products—it creates a ripple effect of change. Women who become entrepreneurs increase their household income and grow their businesses, all while delivering life-changing technology to their neighbors. Solar Sister is dedicated to making sure their entrepreneurs succeed. Each SSE is part of a larger network of women, receiving ongoing support, mentoring, and access to financing so they can continue growing their businesses and reach more households.

To date, Solar Sister has recruited over 8,000 women entrepreneurs across Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, bringing clean energy to over 3.5 million people. These women are not only improving their communities by reducing reliance on unsafe energy but also building economic resilience by creating local markets for clean energy products. The entrepreneurial spirit fostered by Solar Sister ensures long-term sustainability, as each entrepreneur continues to expand their reach and make an impact.

Solar Sister’s work is about creating opportunities—for women, for families, and for future generations. As they scale their efforts across the continent, their impact is felt in every home that switches from kerosene to solar power.

Want to know more about them? Make sure to read their stories, as every one of these stories matter, and to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.