Isabella, a mother of four from the Iringa Region in Tanzania, is one such entrepreneur. While a government project has funded electricity poles and wires in her area, the connection cost was prohibitive for most people she knew.

Hearing about Solar Sister from her daughter, Isabella saved the profits from her potato farm and invested in the training. Now she sells small solar lights and larger ones that can also charge mobile phones.

The impacts of such technology are far wider than simply providing light - and are backed up by the findings of an independent study into Solar Sister’s work carried out by the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship.

While renewable energy sources, including sun, wind and hydro, are in plentiful supply in the region, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, it’s important they are fostered and included in the plans for the future.

That makes the increased uptake of renewables even more important. The IEA estimates that renewables will make up almost half of sub-Saharan Africa’s power generation growth by 2040.

And there are side benefits: Solar Sister says it also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions as households in rural villages get access to clean energy solutions, meaning they rely less on fossil fuels for lighting and cooking.

This company helps women to become solar entrepreneurs