By Chioma Ome, Solar Sister Country Director, Nigeria
Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) are crucial engines of economic growth across Africa. However, MSMEs face odds that threaten their existence. Studies show that approximately 90% of startups in Africa fail within their first five years, disproportionately affecting women-led enterprises.
While several factors contribute to this high failure rate, one of the most critical gaps is entrepreneurship development. This is the process of equipping business owners with the knowledge, skills, and capacities they need to identify, launch, and sustain successful ventures.
The Importance of Entrepreneurship Development
Entrepreneurship development is a holistic journey that involves:
- Skills and Capacity Building – From financial literacy to strategic planning.
- Ongoing Mentorship – Guiding entrepreneurs through real-world challenges.
- Access to Resources – Including finance, technology, and market networks.
- Policy Support and Supportive Ecosystem – Policies and partnerships that remove barriers and facilitate business.
Without strong entrepreneurship development, even the most promising ventures with adequate start-up capital will fail under market pressures and operational hurdles.
Solar Sister’s “Sustainability Wand” Model
Solar Sister operates at the intersection of clean energy and women’s economic empowerment. Our mission is to guide women entrepreneurs through every stage of their business journey, ensuring sustainability and steady growth.
Our “Sustainability Wand” model comprises seven pillars:
- Localized, Tailor-Made Training: Delivered in local languages to meet women where they are.
- Digital Literacy skills development: Equipping entrepreneurs with essential tech and social media sales skills.
- Business & Leadership Mentorship: One-on-one guidance to build confidence and competence.
- Access to Interest-Free Loans: Removing financial barriers to business expansion.
- Free Inventory Delivery to the entrepreneurs’ community: Cutting down operational costs and logistical hurdles for our entrepreneurs.
- Enabling New Markets: Through Market Activations and Product Fairs
- Thought Leadership & Advocacy: Influencing policies to mainstream women’s needs in the market and energy access.
Solar Sister also offers a warranty on products sold by entrepreneurs, as well as incorporating advanced training modules and additional timely modules on emerging topics to stay relevant and keep entrepreneurs engaged.
Our Impact
Over the past fifteen years, Solar Sister has supported over 11,900 women entrepreneurs in Africa, working in Tanzania, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Solar Sister’s core training curriculum is 12 months long. However, more than 2,300 entrepreneurs remain active Solar Sister participants for three years or more, with an impressive 1,200 remaining active beyond the five-year mark.
Other impacts include increased household incomes, increased community energy access, increased productive hours for Micro and small businesses in communities that transition to clean energy, safety and improved security in areas bedeviled by a lack of electricity, improved community health outcomes through clean energy usage, and stronger leadership roles within their communities.
The Road Ahead
We have walked the journey with our resilient women entrepreneurs. We can say that being an entrepreneur is never easy, especially in contexts where women face:
- Limited Access to Capital
- Multiple Caregiving and Societal Roles
- Lack of Mentorship and Networks
- Market Access Barriers
That’s why focused monthly training and mentorship during the crucial early years are the toughest and the most rewarding part of our work. By investing in entrepreneurship development, we not only launch businesses but also catalyze business longevity and lasting change in communities across Africa.
Call to Action
Join us in supporting women entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a policymaker, funder, or fellow changemaker, you can help bridge the entrepreneurship development gap and empower women to build sustainable businesses that transform lives.