Eunice Kanyua

A Kenyan solar energy innovator revolutionizing rural electrification through affordable microgrids

Eunice Kanyua is a groundbreaking Kenyan engineer and entrepreneur whose work in sustainable energy has profoundly impacted rural electrification across sub-Saharan Africa. In 2020, she co-founded Greenlight Planet's subsidiary Kenya Solar Solutions, developing an innovative pay-as-you-go solar microgrid system that now serves over 500,000 households in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Her modular Solar Junction technology allows communities to purchase solar energy in affordable increments while avoiding reliance on fossil fuels.

Kanyua's 2022 TED Talk "How Microgrids Are Lighting Up Africa" highlighted how her systems reduce kerosene use by 80% while creating local jobs. Partnering with the World Bank's Lighting Global Initiative, her projects have prevented 150,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. She was named a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 laureate in 2023 for her work.