Bridgit Owusu

A social entrepreneur pioneering renewable energy access in rural Africa through innovative distribution networks

Bridgit Owusu is a Ghanaian-Nigerian social entrepreneur who co-founded Solar Sister in 2009, a revolutionary enterprise addressing energy poverty across sub-Saharan Africa. Leveraging a direct sales network of women entrepreneurs, Solar Sister has empowered over 7,000 women to become clean energy distributors while providing 1.5 million people with access to solar lamps and clean cooking solutions. Owusu's approach combines gender empowerment with environmental sustainability, creating a scalable model that disrupts traditional aid approaches. Her work has been recognized by the Skoll Foundation and the World Economic Forum, where she was named a Young Global Leader in 2015.

Through her innovative 'Avon-style' distribution system, Owusu has transformed rural communities by replacing harmful kerosene lamps with solar products that improve health outcomes and reduce carbon emissions. Her TED Talk How Solar Sister is lighting up Africa highlights how this model creates economic opportunities while addressing critical development challenges. Partnering with organizations like the Clinton Global Initiative, Solar Sister's impact extends beyond energy access to fostering entrepreneurship and financial inclusion for women in 12 countries across Africa.

Owusu's vision exemplifies the multiplier effect of social enterprise, where each solar lamp sold creates a ripple effect of economic and environmental benefits. Her work has inspired similar models in other regions and established a blueprint for sustainable development that prioritizes local leadership and community-driven solutions.