Nurse Rifkatu Augustine has spent her career ensuring the smooth operation of Ardo Clinic in Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State, in northeast Nigeria. So, when she joined Solar Sister in 2022 through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) partnership with Solar Sister, she brought discipline and teamwork. From her very first Sisterhood Group meeting, she found practical, hands‑on guidance on setting clear goals, managing her money, and sharing ideas with other women entrepreneurs.
Almost immediately, Rifkatu emerged as a Sisterhood Group leader, helping to organize meetings alongside her Business Development Associate, Moses Segilola. One exercise showed her how to break down a big dream into small, actionable steps, as well as financial planning, giving her the confidence to start a side business by renting out chairs. She purchased 30 chairs, creating a new income stream that boosted her confidence (and her wallet!).
“Joining Solar Sister is one decision I will never regret,” Rifkatu says. “It’s given me something to fall back on, and after retirement, I plan to take the business even more seriously.”
Branching Out: From Clinic to Clean Energy
Riding that wave of success, Rifkatu opened a small provision shop in her compound. When her child needed a laptop for university, and the funds fell short, she turned to her Solar Sister business. By advertising solar products on her social media channels, she quickly generated enough sales to cover the laptop. Her resourcefulness and digital outreach showed how clean energy sales could meet real family needs.
Lighting Homes, Fueling Futures
Today, Rifkatu is the go‑to solar expert in her community. She lit up Ardo Clinic with solar power, just as she did her own home. As she nears retirement, she’s grateful for these multiple revenue streams and her Business Development Associate, Moses, whose support has been invaluable.
Supporting women like Rifkatu ignites futures. Your support, matched with her grit and hustle, means children study by clean light, families breathe easier, and whole communities rise. This is power, multiplied.
*The CFLI project supported 50 women in Jos and Adamawa as they began their entrepreneurial journey.