Debora Kaye

Ethiopian social entrepreneur who revolutionized rural electrification through solar energy initiatives

Debora Kaye (b. 1972) is a visionary Ethiopian engineer and social entrepreneur whose work has transformed access to electricity in rural Africa. After graduating from Addis Ababa University with a degree in electrical engineering, she founded Solar Hope Ethiopia in 2001, an organization that deploys innovative solar microgrid systems to communities lacking grid connectivity. Her Community Solar Kiosk model, which combines solar panels with mobile charging stations, has provided clean energy to over 500,000 people in remote regions. Kaye's approach emphasizes community ownership - local technicians are trained to maintain systems, creating sustainable jobs. Her 2009 TED Talk "Solar Energy for Africa's Future" brought global attention to her work. In 2015, she launched the African Solar Girls Initiative, mentoring young women to become solar engineers. Her innovations have been featured in Forbes Africa and the UNDP Climate Solutions Report. Kaye's work directly addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, proving renewable energy can be both economically viable and socially transformative.