- March 6, 2025
- Posted by: Havenhill
- Category: Beyond Electrons
For years, Gbabe community in Kwara State remained in darkness. The absence of reliable electricity meant businesses struggled, families spent heavily on fuel, and opportunities for growth were limited.
But today, the story is different.
Thanks to Havenhill Synergy Limited, which deployed a 35kW solar mini-grid, Gbabe now has steady, clean electricity, transforming lives and businesses in unimaginable ways.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Trader’s Business Improves With Solar: ‘We Are Now Able to Make Profit’
For Madam Innocent, a businesswoman and mother of six, the arrival of solar power has been a lifeline – not just for her family, but for her entire community.
“Since the electricity came, I now sell very cold drinks. We make better profit now, and we don’t spend on fuel again.”
From Struggle to Stability: The Power of Solar Energy
Before renewable energy reached Gbabe, running a business was a daily struggle. With no stable power supply, Madam Innocent had to rely on a generator, spending a significant portion of her earnings just to keep her business running. Profit margins were slim, and growth was nearly impossible.
“We use the money we would have used on fuel to do other things – like adding more goods and merchandise to the shop, as well as feeding our families.”
Now, with solar electricity, she can store and sell ice-cold drinks and chilled sachet water, attracting more customers and increasing her daily sales. The money that once went into fueling a generator is now invested in her business and her children’s education – a major step towards economic empowerment.
A Community Transformed: More Than Just Power
The impact of renewable energy extends far beyond Madam Innocent’s business. It has transformed Gbabe’s daily life, making the community safer, more vibrant, and economically stronger.
“Since the electricity came, when you visit this village at night, it is so different from before. We were in darkness, but now if you come here at night, you’d think you are in the city.”
The once-dark streets are now lit, safer, and bustling with activity. Small businesses that previously closed before sunset now operate late into the evening, increasing revenue and creating a thriving local economy.
Even basic conveniences – like finding cold sachet water on a hot day – have improved significantly.
“Also, when you visit during the day, you can get very chilled sachet water, unlike before when it was hard to find. Life now is better than when there was no electricity. We are enjoying it very well.”
Women, Energy, and Economic Growth
Madam Innocent’s story is one of resilience and strength. As a woman entrepreneur, she is a pillar of her community, proving that access to clean energy is not just about electricity – it’s about opportunity, economic empowerment, and lifting entire families out of energy poverty. Her journey captures how investing in energy access for women fuels progress for entire communities.
READ ALSO: Solar Power Brings Job Creation and New Opportunities to Gbabe Community
Havenhill Synergy: Powering Change, One Community at a Time
At Havenhill Synergy Limited, we believe that energy access is a right, not a privilege. Our 35kW solar mini-grid in Gbabe is just one of the many ways we are working to power underserved communities, drive economic empowerment, and create lasting impact.
As we celebrate Women’s Month, stories like Madam Innocent’s remind us that when we empower women with access to energy, we empower communities and the future.
Watch Madam Innocent’s Full Story
Clean energy changes lives. Share this story to inspire more solutions for energy access across underserved communities!
Beyond Electrons is a series highlighting real-life impact stories that showcase how Havenhill’s mini-grids are electrifying homes, and businesses and transforming lives.
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