Initial Insights and Reflections
By Sinead Maharrey, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager for Solar Sister
As the year comes to a close, Solar Sister reflects on the incredible progress made by our vibrant community of entrepreneurs. The initial results are in from our annual year-end survey, conducted with 401 active entrepreneurs across Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya, and they give an incredible snapshot of the transformative impact of Solar Sister.
Here are some of the highlights that showcase the growth and empowerment of Solar Sister entrepreneurs this year:
1. Expanding Clean Energy Access
Solar Sister entrepreneurs are leading the way in improving access to clean energy across their communities. This year’s findings reveal:
- There is a dramatic increase in the adoption of clean energy: 65% of respondents now own a clean cookstove, up from 17% before joining Solar Sister, and 94% report using small solar lights or home systems, compared to 33% at baseline.
- A significant reduction in the use of harmful and dangerous lighting sources: Only 5% of respondents still use kerosene or candles for lighting, compared to 33% at baseline.
2. Transforming Household Impacts
The ripple effects of increased income and energy access are evident in Solar Sister Entrepreneur households:
- Education investments have soared; prior to joining Solar Sister, more than two-thirds of entrepreneurs were unable to afford basic school fees; in 2024, only 2% of respondents were unable to pay for their children’s education.
- Consequently, 95% of children are now in school, a 14% increase from the entrepreneurs’ baseline.
- Entrepreneurs report greater empowerment in decision-making: Significant control over household decisions increased by 24%, and control over economic decisions rose by 40% since the baseline.
3. Building Financial Resilience
Solar Sister’s impact extends to financial security and entrepreneurial growth:
- 60% of respondents can now cover emergency costs using their savings, up from 54% at baseline, with only 1% unable to cover such costs today.
- Entrepreneurs are reinvesting in their futures: 66% invested Solar Sister profits into other business ventures, and 34% started at least one new business venture this year using the entrepreneurial skills gained through Solar Sister.
“My life has turned since I became a Solar Sister Entrepreneur.”
Beatres’s entrepreneurial spirit has led her to diversify her business endeavors. In addition to her clean energy business, she has recently started a fish-frying business. She sells her delicious, freshly fried fish and bananas to people on their way home from work in the evening. Beatres credits Victoria’s training for helping her calculate the risks and then evaluate the potential of this new business. She figured out exactly what was entailed to get this business going and what would make it profitable. After calculation, Beatres decided that it would be profitable.
These results are more than numbers; they represent lives changed, communities uplifted, and a brighter future powered by clean energy and entrepreneurial spirit. At Solar Sister, we’re inspired by the stories of growth and resilience that emerge from this work every year. As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to empowering women entrepreneurs and creating sustainable solutions for energy access.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our entrepreneurs, supporters, and partners who make this progress possible. We’d also like to celebrate the incredible team of enumerators who made this survey possible. Together, we’re lighting the path to a more equitable and sustainable world.
Stay tuned for the full 2024 Entrepreneur Insights Report to be released in January!