country: Africa
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Millicent Odira inspires other women to challenge gender norms
Millicent Odira, a clean energy entrepreneur from Migori County’s Rongo location, Kenya, is a true proof that when women and girls have equal opportunities as men and boys, they are formidable actors in economic development and social transformation. Mother of six, she was motivated into the energy business after seeking a stable job without any…
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Bouncing Back in Business Amidst a Pandemic
For most families in Kenya, the holiday season in December is devoted to traveling upcountry to spend time with loved ones and extended family members. However, for Rebecca Aseyo, the last time she recounts visiting her relatives in the village during the December holidays was way before she ventured into the solar installation business. “December…
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Access to affordable business capital
Activities to strengthen Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) carried out through Practical Action’s Women’s Economic Empowerment project have enabled Millicent Akinyi Dula to sharpen her leadership skills for the VSLA Rarieda Technology Advisors Women Group (RATAD), of which she is the chairperson. “Ever since I was appointed as the chairperson, I’ve gained skills and…
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Keeping alive the dream of opening a briquette production center
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya affected many small scale businesses and Millicent Akinyi Dula’s clean cooking equipment venture was not spared. Sales from her company that sells and installs improved stoves reduced from the previous average of 20 pieces per month to 8 pieces, as most of her customers postponed buying due…
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Getting back to business: new emergency fund brings Covid-19 lockdown relief to struggling women entrepreneurs in Senegal
Hundreds of women entrepreneurs in Senegal who have suffered devastating loss in business as a result of the pandemic are beginning to regain their livelihoods thanks to a new emergency fund set up by ENERGIA, the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy. The fund will provide 69 companies (comprising 594 women entrepreneurs) much needed…
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A recovery plan for Aïssata Ba amid fears of a second wave
The last six months have often seemed like a rollercoaster for Aïssata Ba as she tries to keep her market garden business afloat. As soon as the Senegalese COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in June 2020, Aïssata rolled up her sleeves and brought her land back to life by using a new blend of poultry dung,…
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I am just a step away from my dream!
When Covid-19 hit the country back in March and the government of Kenya in coordination with the Ministry of Health ordered the closure of borders and introduced curfew hours, Rebecca Aseyo thought her dreams would come to end. Two months before the pandemic outbreak, she had been employed as regional sales representative by Star Times,…
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Living in ‘survival mode’ during the lockdown
Since the lockdown was imposed at the onset of the pandemic in Senegal, Awa has seen her turnover fall from an average of USD 340 per month to between USD 70 and 110 per month. As schools closed down, market activities got suspended and travel restrictions were imposed, Awa’s customers faded away. Her mentor advised…
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ENERGIA, the African Development Bank, and the Climate Investment Funds join efforts to strengthen gender in the energy sector in Africa
ENERGIA, together with the African Development Bank and the Climate Investment Funds have jointly launched four country briefs on November, 24 during the virtual event “Gender and Sustainable Energy Access in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda”. The briefs contribute to increasing data availability on gender and energy and provide insights for future gender sensitive…
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Gender and energy country briefs – Uganda
Energy is a critical enabler in reaching development goals. However, the benefits of increased access to modern and cleaner energy services often fail to accrue evenly to men and women. The African Development Bank and ENERGIA recognise the need to prioritise policy action in the field of gender and energy to meet the international Sustainable…
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Gender and energy country briefs – Tanzania
Energy is a critical enabler in reaching development goals. However, the benefits of increased access to modern and cleaner energy services often fail to accrue evenly to men and women. The African Development Bank and ENERGIA recognise the need to prioritise policy action in the field of gender and energy to meet the international Sustainable…
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Gender and energy country briefs – Rwanda
Energy is a critical enabler in reaching development goals. However, the benefits of increased access to modern and cleaner energy services often fail to accrue evenly to men and women. The African Development Bank and ENERGIA recognise the need to prioritise policy action in the field of gender and energy to meet the international Sustainable…