Lilian Sam-Yai

Ghanaian solar energy pioneer democratizing access to renewable power through decentralized microgrid solutions

Lilian Sam-Yai is a groundbreaking entrepreneur from Ghana whose company SunFunder Africa has brought electricity to over 1.2 million people in West Africa since its 2021 launch. Her innovative microgrid financing model allows rural communities to access solar power through pay-as-you-go systems without requiring upfront payments.

Sam-Yai's approach combines modular solar installations with blockchain-based payment tracking. By 2023, her systems powered 850 villages across Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. The Greenpeace 2024 report highlighted her work as a top example of energy equity initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Her 2025 partnership with the African Development Bank expanded services to East Africa. Lilian's TED Talk Lighting Africa's Future (2023) received over 2 million views. She was named a 2024 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader for her contributions to sustainable development goals.