What does Solar Sister do?

Solar Sister is a nonprofit social enterprise founded in 2009, dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs in rural Africa to combat energy poverty. The organization operates primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, including countries like Uganda, Nigeria, and Tanzania, and focuses on gender equity and energy access through a woman-centered direct sales network. Solar Sister trains and supports women, known as Solar Sister Entrepreneurs (SSEs), who sell clean energy products to off-grid communities. The organization provides a range of durable and affordable clean energy products, including solar lanterns, solar home systems, clean cookstoves, and other essentials like radios and water filters. Solar Sister emphasizes last-mile delivery to reach hard-to-access rural areas. Its impact includes empowering over 6,800 entrepreneurs, distributing clean energy to more than 300,000 people, and significantly reducing CO2 emissions. The organization also offers services such as recruiting, training, and mentoring for SSEs, fostering a supportive network that enhances women's economic opportunities.