Thandiwe Chama

Zambian solar innovator powering Africa's off-grid communities through affordable energy solutions

Thandiwe Chama (b.1990) is revolutionizing rural electrification in Zambia through her company Solaris Electric, which she co-founded in 2015. The company's "pay-as-you-go" solar kits have provided clean energy to over 200,000 households in 15 African countries. Her business model combines mobile payment systems with community-based maintenance networks, reducing costs by 40% compared to traditional solar providers.

Chama's innovation was recognized with the Ashden Award (2018) and Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 (2019). Her TED Talk "Lighting Up Rural Africa" (2021) highlights how solar energy empowers women entrepreneurs. She developed Zambia's first solar microgrid system in the remote Chama district, creating 300+ local jobs.

Chama's recent venture Solaris Academy trains young women as solar engineers, addressing Africa's gender gap in STEM fields. Partnering with UN Women, she launched Women in Solar, a network connecting 5,000+ female technicians across 7 countries. Her work has reduced deforestation rates by 25% in project areas through decreased firewood usage.