Solar Grandmothers in Burkina Faso
Location
Period
Jan 2022 - Dec 2023
Funding (USD)
439,000
Project Code
ROCO2
Theme
Solar Energy
Green Jobs
Status
Completed
Implementing Partners
Resource Partners
Ministry of environment, water and sanitation
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Project Summary
In 2022, the Solar Grandmothers Project trained 31 senior rural women from seven regions of Burkina Faso—Centre, Centre-West, Centre-East, Sahel, North, Hauts-Bassins, and Cascades—in solar energy systems management. Through a hands-on and community-focused approach, participants acquired practical skills in the installation, operation, and maintenance of household solar kits.
The project strengthened the role of women as agents of change in their communities while contributing to Burkina Faso’s transition toward low-carbon and climate-resilient development. By promoting clean energy solutions, the initiative reduced reliance on fossil fuels and improved access to sustainable energy in underserved rural areas.
Project Goal and Objectives
The project aimed to:
- Empower older rural women by enhancing their technical skills and positioning them as key actors in local development
- Increase awareness of climate change and promote environmentally sustainable practices
- Reduce disparities between urban and rural communities by improving energy access and living conditions
- Promote gender equality by actively engaging women as both beneficiaries and service providers
- Support local economic development through income-generating activities linked to solar energy services
Context and Background
Burkina Faso faces significant environmental challenges, including land degradation, deforestation, and declining water resources. In many rural areas, households have traditionally relied on fossil fuels and other non-sustainable energy sources for lighting, contributing to environmental degradation and health risks.
At the same time, limited technical knowledge and access to solar technologies have constrained the adoption of clean energy solutions, particularly among rural women.
To address these challenges, the Governments of Burkina Faso and India, in partnership with the Barefoot College Institute, established a regional solar training center in Nioryida (Centre-South region) in 2019. This initiative aimed to promote rural electrification while facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity building for women.
Through this model, trained women—often referred to as “solar grandmothers”—return to their communities to install and maintain solar systems, ensuring long-term functionality and sustainability. Their work not only improves energy access but also creates local expertise and strengthens community resilience.