About

Solar Benin Energy was started by Novi, an organization based in Benin, West Africa, that is actively involved with maintaining an artisan’s center and providing training to young entrepreneurs. Solar Benin Energy is its new focus, a social enterprise devoted to bringing solar-powered lights and phone chargers to rural areas of Benin. 90% of the country does not have access to electricity, and depend on kerosene for light. Kerosene is dangerous, and can lead to health problems like asthma, deadly fires, and burns. It also pollutes the air. SBE offers light systems ranging from twi to eight lights, with the capacity to charge phones. SBE sells the systems at a price point that is attainable for the population of Benin, and all profits are reinvested into the organization, to create a sustainable system capable of helping more and more people. SBE has come up with an innovative distribution to further increase the self-sustainable nature of the project. Working one village at a time, SBE recruits and trains youths to act as information agents on the market day, which is a time the village is gathered. These local information agents engage with the people coming to the market, and answer questions and take contact information for those who are interested. From the information agents, SBE selects one sales agent for the village, who will go door to door and follow up on interest. SBE provides a salary as well as a small commission per item sold. This way, distribution can happen through local initiative, and provide employment as well as an opportunity for the community to have access to electricity. Every one, every step of the way, profits from the distribution system, and contributes to the project’s sustainability.