This week on 4 April is Senegal’s Independence Day and Senegalese people have much to be proud of. It is a vibrant and welcoming country, rich in traditions and natural beauty. Senegal is also one of the sub-Saharan countries with the highest access to electricity rates (64% nationwide). However, there are still millions in the […]
Uprooted families in Chikwawa seek shelter in camps and schools. Photo credit: Islamic Relief Dear Supporters, I am sure you have been reading about Cyclone Idai, which has hit Malawi and neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe, causing severe flooding and affecting millions of people across the region. This is climate change in action, hitting those who are […]
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and SolarAid have partnered for the Hannover Messe Industrie event in Germany taking place 1st – 5th April, 2019. You will find ABB’s YuMi once again packing our solar lights at Hall 6, booth A40. In case you don’t remember, ABB’s Yumi is the human-sized, dual-arm robot that packed 1,500 solar lights […]
Ghana, 16-22 March 2019 This week, over 2,500 delegates have gathered to boost ambitious climate action in Africa following the conclusion of the ‘Katowice Climate Package’ at the COP24. Africa Climate Week is being hosted by the Ghanaian government and will support the implementation of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions to deliver on the Sustainable Development […]
Shortly after The Economist’s article came out about how ‘electricity does not change poor lives as much as we thought’, we had a live music event to raise awareness about the issue and importance of energy access. Guests learned about the impact of energy poverty in low income countries and were then taken on an audible journey […]
Women Bring Energy In the green rolling hills of Plateau State in central Nigeria, power lines are few and far between. Nanbet, a formidable young woman, lives here, farming and raising five children on her own. She grows potatoes, maize and beans. And now, after training and support, she is a clean energy entrepreneur with […]
Students of Kapiri Community Day Second School gather to learn about Light Library. Photo credit: Imaan More than 280 students attend Kapiri Community Day Second School, located in Dedza district near Lake Malawi – an area home to Malawi’s renowned Child Marriage Terminator, Chief Theresa Kachindamoto. SolarAid, through SunnyMoney Malawi, sees the impact of bringing […]
Response to The Economist The title of this article should be an obvious, non-contentious, statement. However, in an article published in The Economist on 7th February, entitled ‘Electricity does not change poor lives as much as was thought,’ there are a number of fairly sweeping assertions which question the value of access to electricity and clean, safe, lighting. […]
Project Switch was born out of frustration. While our successful social enterprise, SunnyMoney, makes solar lights accessible to disadvantaged communities across Africa, this alone is not enough to ensure the poorest communities are not left behind. You helped us meet our target last year to raise £50,000 to bring Project Switch to one such community in […]
African women entrepreneurs are a dynamic force. They are increasingly driving economic growth and transforming their communities. Jeanne is one such person who epitomises this female-led revolution across villages in rural Africa. An intelligent, determined force for positive change, Jeanne leads ElleSolaire’s women entrepreneurs in Senegal. She not only acts as an advocate for the equality of […]