The Solar Foundation’s mission is to leverage new technologies like the blockchain to fund and accelerate off-grid solar solutions for underserved communities in emerging economies. We believe decentralized solar energy is a public good and we work toward the achievement of SDG7: Universal access to clean, reliable and affordable electricity.

By working on solar projects with our local partners in Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, we’ve witnessed how small solar solutions in rural, low-income communities unlock profound, real-life, tangible benefits. We specifically look for opportunities to develop full-stack solutions: solar-powered community centers that provide access to off-grid power along with other benefits such as digital skills training, education, public charging hubs, solar-powered wells, etc.

At The Solar Foundation, we believe it's unacceptable that nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity—in a place that's perfect for off-grid solar. Electricity is a lifeline and the key to unlocking Africa's potential. No economy grows in the dark and access to off-grid solar energy for unpowered or unreliably powered communities is foundational to increasing economic development, educational opportunities, access to healthcare and digital inclusion and innovation.

We work with local NGOs to create innovative ways to accelerate off-grid solar in underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. We envision emergent pilot projects & sustainable funding models to empower our partner communities to access clean energy and productive appliances, and to have an ownership stake in the solar deployed.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), as of 2022, 600 million people in Africa lack access to electricity, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, at today’s rate of progress, we are not on track to address SDG7: Universal access to clean, affordable & reliable energy including access to clean cooking.

We believe that new technologies such as Web3 & blockchain can accelerate progress to address energy poverty and climate change, reducing GHG emissions & deforestation and empowering communities through off-grid solar power, productive use of energy appliances and access to clean cooking.

Sub-Saharan Africa