Leyla Ali

South African entrepreneur revolutionizing sustainable energy access in rural Africa

Leyla Ali is a visionary South African entrepreneur and founder of EcoAct Africa, a company dedicated to providing clean energy solutions to underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa. Born in 1985 in Cape Town, Ali grew up witnessing the energy poverty challenges faced by many rural communities. This experience motivated her to create innovative solar solutions that have impacted over 500,000 people in 12 countries. Her flagship product, the SolarPod, combines affordable solar technology with community micro-grid systems, enabling villages to access electricity for the first time.

Ali's approach prioritizes local partnerships, training over 3,000 young Africans as solar technicians through her EcoSolar Academy. Her work has been recognized by the United Nations as a model for sustainable development, earning her the 2020 Africa Energy Prize. Beyond her technical innovations, Ali advocates for gender equity in STEM fields through her Women's Energy Alliance initiative, which has empowered 200+ female entrepreneurs in renewable energy sectors. Her TED Talk How Solar Energy Is Lighting Up Africa has over 2 million views and inspired global investors to fund rural electrification projects.