Expanding Clean Energy Access Through Women-Led Enterprises in Off-Grid Nigeria
Abuja, January 27th, 2025 – The ECOWAS* Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) under the Women Energy Enterprise Project (WEEP) has a collaborative initiative committed to advancing clean energy access, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth across Nigeria.
ROGEAP addresses barriers that prevent off-grid and underserved communities from accessing reliable electricity, while strengthening local markets and institutions that sustain long-term energy solutions.
In Nigeria, ROGEAP is partnering with Solar Sister, a women-centered social enterprise that works to eradicate energy poverty by empowering 100 women to build and grow clean energy businesses. The project will be implemented across Kogi, Taraba, Plateau, Edo, Benue, and Enugu States, focusing on off-grid and energy-poor communities where households and small businesses continue to rely on unsafe and expensive energy sources.
This partnership is a shared commitment to expanding access to clean, affordable energy while creating sustainable livelihoods for women. The project is designed to accelerate the adoption of solar lanterns, solar home systems, and productive-use energy technologies in underserved communities through a distribution network led by women entrepreneurs. By replacing kerosene lamps and other polluting energy options, the project contributes to improved health outcomes, reduced household expenses, and lower carbon emissions.
This project will also focus on empowering women economically. Through structured recruitment, training, onboarding, and continuous mentoring, women are supported in establishing new clean energy enterprises and strengthening existing businesses. These women entrepreneurs are equipped not only with high-quality products but also with business skills, coaching, and peer support, enabling them to build viable enterprises and become leaders within their communities.
At Solar Sister, we are certain that by strengthening local capacity and building a resilient green workforce, the ECOWAS ROGEAP and Solar Sister partnership demonstrates how inclusive, gender-responsive energy solutions can deliver lasting social, economic, and environmental impact across Nigeria’s underserved regions.
*Ecowas – Economic Community of West African States