Nigerian Trader’s Business Improves With Solar: ‘We Are Now Able to Make Profit’

“Ease has come to us.”

These are the heartfelt words of Iya Bode, a petty trader and mother of six, reflecting on the powerful impact of reliable electricity in her community of Bukoro in Kwara state.

For the past 20 years, Iya Bode has lived in the village, running a small store where she sells kitchen utensils, plastic items, and beverages. Like many small business owners in the area, she once relied on power generators, spending a significant portion of her earnings on fuel just to keep her business running. However, after Havenhill Synergy deployed a 25kW mini-grid in her community, everything changed.

Describing the transition as a blessing, Iya Bode explains how affordable electricity has not only eased her business operations but has also enabled her to make better financial decisions.

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“We are able to make profit and meet our needs.”

The stability and affordability of electricity have empowered her to expand her trade and, more importantly, invest in her children’s future. With the proceeds from her business, she has been able to enroll one of her children in a private school, while another is currently studying to become a doctor.

“It is from the profit we make that we are able to take care of our children and send them to school.”

Iya Bode’s story is a great example of how access to sustainable energy not only drives economic growth but also contributes to gender equality by empowering women entrepreneurs. By reducing the financial burden of energy costs, clean and reliable electricity is giving women like Iya Bode the opportunity to thrive, support their families, and break cycles of poverty.

Watch Iya Bode’s story on YouTube.

Through renewable energy, communities like Bukoro are witnessing a shift – one where women are not just surviving but succeeding, one business at a time. Discover more inspiring stories in the Beyond Electrons series here.

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.