In Tanzania, about 36 million people – more than half of the population – do not have access to electricity. Many rural communities are left to rely on polluting energy sources such as kerosene and wood for lighting and cooking, negatively affecting many aspects of their life. Women are especially affected as they spend many hours collecting fuel and inhaling toxic fumes when it is burned. They also often lack a stable source of income

To address this challenge, Puma Energy Foundation has partnered with Solar Sister, an organisation that recruits, trains, and supports women in sub-Saharan Africa to start businesses selling solar lamps and other clean energy products in their community. Through their award-winning model, the organisation has formed a network of more than 12,100 Solar Sister Entrepreneurs serving more than 5.5 million people. Solar Sister offers comprehensive training and support to its entrepreneurs, covering essential business, leadership and technical skills such as Sales pitch, goal setting, Networking, record keeping, product knowledge and marketing. Additionally, they provide ongoing mentorship, coaching and business support including access to credit facilities to help women grow their businesses and digital inclusion programs. The organization also ensures that the products distributed meet high standards of quality, durability, and performance, giving customers confidence and value for money in the products they purchase.

Our partnership with Solar Sister began in 2023, initially supporting 579 women entrepreneurs in Tanzania to grow their business through its Business Booster Programme, equipping them with essential training and product loans. Additionally enhanced their capabilities with digital literacy training and access to smartphones, providing them with powerful tools to boost sales, increase income, and expand clean energy access to more offgrid households. In the second phase of the partnership, starting in 2025, Solar Sister aims to recruit and train another 500 women entrepreneurs in three new regions of Tanzania, provide 200 women with digital business skills, and see them sell 16,000 solar products, including 2,000 clean cookstoves. By empowering women entrepreneurs, this collaboration works to create lasting change by providing access to clean energy, boosting rural economies, building healthier and more resilient communities in Tanzania.

Visit Solar Sister website