Merkam Abebe

Ethiopian engineer who created affordable solar solutions for rural electrification

From Refugee Camp to Innovation

Merkam Abebe (1978) fled Ethiopia's civil war at age 10, growing up in Sudanese refugee camps without electricity. This experience fueled his determination to bring energy access to marginalized communities. After studying engineering in Addis Ababa, he developed the Solar LightBox in 2001.

Breakthrough Technology

Abebe's invention uses recycled materials to create solar panels costing 70% less than market options. The LightBox 2.0 system powers entire villages with a single unit, requiring no external batteries. Over 500,000 units are now operational across 9 African countries.

Community Impact

His Sunrise Initiative trains local technicians, creating 12,000+ jobs in rural Ethiopia. Villages adopting his systems report 30% higher school enrollment and 40% lower kerosene spending. The World Bank has invested $15M in scaling his model.

Global Recognition

Abebe received the 2019 Africa Energy Prize and was featured in National Geographic's 'Innovators of the Decade' series. His work inspired the UN's Light for All campaign targeting universal electrification by 2030.