Local Entrepreneur’s Life Improves With Solar Mini-Grid: “We Now Sleep Comfortably”

Photo of Mohammed smiling in his soar-powered shop/Havenhill Synergy

In Bushiru, a community in Kwara State, Nigeria, Mohammed operates a small provisions store where he sells drinks and other essentials. Before, like so many in Bushiru, he faced daily struggles running his business without electricity supply.

For something as basic as charging a phone, Mohammed recalls, one would have to either walk miles to another community or buy fuel to power a generator. With the high cost of fuel, Mohammed found himself spending thousands of naira daily just to keep his business running – an expense that stifled its growth and limited his ability to support his family.

Then in 2022, everything changed for the better when Havenhill Synergy deployed a 16kW mini-grid to the community, providing reliable and stable electricity for over 1,500 residents. For Mohammed, having electricity means more than just lighting a bulb.

“Back then, we couldn’t sell cold drinks, but now we can. People from other communities come to buy from us because they enjoy the cold drinks,” he says.

With reliable power supply, Mohammed’s business has flourished, and he can now better provide for his family. As a proud father, he shares that the store’s success has allowed him to send his children to boarding schools in another state – an opportunity he once thought was out of reach.

READ ALSO: How Solar Energy Transformed Business and Family Life in Oko Ile, Oyo State

Electricity has undoubtedly raised the standard of living in Bushiru. Mohammed adds, “We now sleep comfortably, turn on fans, charge our phones, and enjoy ourselves. We’re very proud of it. In fact, we brag about this electricity to other communities.”

Reflecting on his new reality, Mohammed admitted he never imagined Bushiru would be electrified, even for generations to come. He now looks forward to the community enjoying this newfound electricity for years ahead.

Watch Mohammed’s story on our Youtube channel

Beyond Electrons is a series which focuses on highlighting impact stories that showcase how our mini-grids are electrifying homes, and businesses and transforming lives.

Read the previous episode of Beyond Electrons here.

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