Bethony Ji

Pioneered solar energy solutions in rural Ethiopia, transforming access to electricity and education

Bethony Ji is a visionary entrepreneur and social innovator who co-founded Mekelle University's Renewable Energy Initiative in 1998. Born in 1986 in Addis Ababa, she developed a passion for solving energy poverty after witnessing her rural community's struggles with kerosene lamps and limited educational opportunities. Her breakthrough came with the Solar Power for Schools project, which installed solar panels in over 150 rural schools by 2010. This initiative not only provided lighting but also enabled computer labs powered by solar energy, directly impacting 50,000 students annually. Ji's work has been featured in National Geographic's 2005 documentary series African Innovators, and her peer-reviewed research on hybrid solar systems has influenced policy in 12 African nations. Her 2008 TED Talk Lighting Up Africa's Future has over 2 million views, and her latest venture Sunrise Energy Collective partners with UNICEF to provide solar microgrids for healthcare facilities. In 2021, she launched the Global Youth Energy Network, connecting 300+ young innovators across 47 countries through an online platform that includes a Solar Academy certification program.