A women-focused social enterprise driving energy access and gender empowerment across rural Africa, Solar Sister, has applauded the growing adoption of clean energy technologies in underserved communities, which has led to the training and economic empowerment of over 12,000 women entrepreneurs across Nigeria and other African countries.

In a statement issued during the launch of its STEM Career Initiative for Girls on Friday in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of Solar Sister, Olasimbo Sojinrin, described the milestone as a strategic step in the organisation’s mission to dismantle the interlinked barriers of energy poverty, gender inequality and economic exclusion.

She said, “Our main ethos is working at the intersection of women’s economic empowerment, energy access, and climate action.

“For 15 years, Solar Sister has been working at the intersection of women’s economic empowerment, clean energy access, and climate action.

“We have built a network of women entrepreneurs who distribute solar lamps, home systems, and clean cooking products in some of the most underserved communities in Africa. Many women are the only access point to clean energy in their localities.”

She announced the launch of a new initiative to empower 300 girls aged 11–14 from all-girls secondary schools in six states, Bauchi, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom, with the tools and mentorship to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.