Meet GES Delegate: Habiba Ali
Name: Habiba Ali
Organization Name: SOSAI
Country of origin: Nigeria
Twitter Handle: habibat11/sosairen
Web: Sosairen.org
Brief description of Organisation: Sosai focuses on the assembly and distribution of solar-powered home systems, solar-powered lamps, solar power boxes and Improved Cook stoves including and not limited to other livelihood-improving products like water filters. The products, to be assembled and sold, are a substitute for power and lighting products such as generators, kerosene lanterns (that use polluting fuels), candles open fire places and curb indoor air pollution. Furthermore, as a derivative, the business also focuses on the creation of micro-enterprises and training of individuals especially women to build solar power boxes and become energy entrepreneurs in their communities.
Inspiration to start the business: Seeing women who were selling at night with kerosene lamps where they inhale an equivalent of 2 packs of cigarettes every hour was my first inkling to get a business started around Solar lanterns. Going into communities and having a first-hand view of their energy needs and their poverty situations, I knew we needed to find a platform to proffer these energy and livelihood improving solutions to rural communities while making it easy for them to be able to pay for it and make a business out of it because I am a believer that what people pay for they value more.
The Next Big Step to help the Organisation Grow: To develop the Pay-as You-go business model that culminates in renting to own, so that homes and businesses can have their own access to clean and efficient renewable energy with Photovoltaic Solar. We are currently implementing a 40,000 stove improved cookstove project that is billed to impact on the lives of about 300,000 people, improving air quality, living conditions and poverty levels. With this project We are now envisaging moving that number to 400,000 stoves! Finally, we are developing a business model with the women energy entrepreneurs we set up to ensure that they have built and run integrated energy centres in their communities.
Biggest Obstacle as an Entrepreneur: This has evolved. In the beginning it was organisation; then it was the customs and tax anomalies in Nigeria; and now it is financing to grow the business and empower people’s lives more.
My advice to Upcoming Entrepreneurs: They should stick to what they believe in, and seek knowledge about the business world and the products they are selling. No knowledge is wasted and continuous learning keeps one abreast of global happenings.
