Dorcas Oduor

A Kenyan environmental entrepreneur pioneering sustainable agriculture and clean energy solutions to combat climate change.

Dorcas Oduor is a visionary entrepreneur and environmental advocate from Kenya, recognized for her groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. Born in 1990 in Nairobi, she grew up witnessing the devastating effects of climate change on smallholder farmers in East Africa. This inspired her to develop innovative solutions to mitigate environmental degradation while empowering local communities.

In 2020, Oduor founded Green Harvest Innovations, a social enterprise that combines agroecology with solar technology. The company provides affordable solar-powered irrigation systems and drought-resistant crop varieties to farmers, significantly increasing yields and reducing water dependency. Her model has been replicated across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, benefiting over 50,000 households by 2023.

Oduor’s work extends beyond technology. She launched the Farmers' Future Initiative, a platform training women in sustainable farming techniques and leadership. Over 3,000 women have graduated from the program, many becoming community leaders and entrepreneurs. Her TED Talk "How Solar Power Is Reviving Africa’s Farms" (2022) highlights her mission to bridge the gap between innovation and grassroots development.

In 2023, Oduor partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to scale her solar irrigation systems to climate-vulnerable regions. She was named a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree in 2021 and received the Global Clean Energy Pioneer Award (2024). Her advocacy for women in STEM and climate justice has made her a key voice in global sustainability dialogues.