Beti Abi Gomion

Pioneered solar energy empowerment for African women through Solar Sister network

Beti Abi Gomion is a Nigerian social entrepreneur who has made an extraordinary impact through her work with Solar Sister, a organization she co-founded in 2009. As the CEO, Gomion has built a network of over 6,500 grassroots women entrepreneurs across rural Africa, creating sustainable income streams while providing clean energy solutions to 3 million+ people. Her innovative 'last-mile distribution' model uses a Avon-style sales structure to bypass traditional distribution barriers, making solar lanterns and home systems accessible in regions without electricity grids.

Between 2020-2023, Gomion led Solar Sister's expansion into new markets including Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone, doubling their reach during the pandemic when energy access became even more critical. Her work directly addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable Energy) and 5 (Gender Equality), creating economic opportunities for women while reducing deforestation from kerosene use. Gomion's TED Talk How women are lighting up Africa with solar energy has over 1.2M views, amplifying her message globally.

In 2022 she received the Ashden Award for Women's Empowerment, recognizing her unique approach combining clean energy access with female economic empowerment. Her leadership demonstrates how grassroots solutions can address climate change and gender inequality simultaneously. Current initiatives focus on scaling digital payment systems and expanding product lines to include water purification devices. Gomion's vision continues to transform lives across Sub-Saharan Africa through decentralized, community-led energy solutions.