Fikir Ayalew

Ethiopian solar energy entrepreneur empowering rural communities through sustainable electrification

Fikir Ayalew is a visionary Ethiopian entrepreneur and founder of Eneza Energy, a company pioneering off-grid solar solutions for rural African communities. Since launching in 2021, her company has provided clean energy access to over 250,000 people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania through innovative pay-as-you-go solar home systems. This revolutionary approach not only replaces dangerous kerosene lamps but also enables economic empowerment by providing lighting for small businesses and charging stations for mobile devices.

Ashoka Fellow since 2022, Ayalew's work directly addresses United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable clean energy). Her decentralized solar grid model reduces carbon emissions while creating local jobs - 70% of Eneza's staff are women from the communities they serve. Notable partnerships include collaboration with UN Women and the World Bank's Lighting Global initiative. In 2023, Eneza was named one of Africa's Top 100 Innovations by the African Innovation Foundation.

Her TEDx talk "How solar energy is lighting up Africa's future" has over 1.2 million views, spreading awareness about energy poverty solutions. Ayalew's vision extends beyond electricity provision to building community energy cooperatives, ensuring local ownership and sustainability. Recent 2024 projects include solar micro-grids for healthcare clinics in conflict-affected regions, directly saving lives through refrigerated medical supplies and after-hours emergency services.