Renewable energy: With the help of cooperation partners, Sosai promotes empowerment, health care and environmental protection in Nigeria

Imagine being able to make a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Habiba Ali, CEO at Sosai Renewable Energies in Nigeria, has done just that! With the help of modern technology and international partners, the winner of the 2019 Global Leadership Award is committed to sustainable development – especially in rural communities. To this day, many people in Nigerian villages rely on cooking over open wood fires. This is not only problematic for nature, but also leads to numerous respiratory problems among those affected. Added to this is the lack of access to the power grid in many places. Basic things like reading something in the evening with the light on or charging a cell phone are often simply impossible. Through solar power systems, solar lamps, water purification plants and many useful accessories, Habiba Ali and Sosai Renewable Energies have already helped over 500,000 people in Nigeria. With access to sustainable energy, comes health and better opportunities for education and development. In this interview with Ambivation, Habiba Ali talks about the background of her important work and explains how cooperation partners can provide sustainable impetus.

Habiba, first of all, could you tell us a little bit about your background? 

I am a graduate of accounting and most of my educational background has been in the Finance space. I was born and brought up in Northern Nigeria, Kaduna state to be precise and even though I am from the Middle Belt state of Kogi, Kaduna has always been more of a home to me than Kogi. My maternal aunts were very industrious women who explored new territories hundreds of kilometers from home to buy wares ranging from food to livestock for reselling in their home town. I believe some of my entrepreneurial mindset was borne of these women’s resilience.

How did you come to found Sosai Renewable Energies?

I had exposure to renewable energies when we founded the Developmental Association for Renewable Energies (DARE). At this time we tried to deploy RE relating it mainly to the Deforestation and Desertification reduction. During this work I was lucky to attend the PCIA conferece where I learned about the harmful effects of smoke to the human and the issue of indoor air pollution got me challenged to find a solutions if for nothing for the replacemet of Kerosene Lamps. This was how I got started finding a solutions to a problem, I had also lived being a child of a woman who at one time used the open fire to cook by the light of a kerosene lamp in the road side food kiosk we owned.

With your work, you have already changed the lives of over half a million people. What have been the biggest challenges along the way?

The biggest challenges I have faced have been growth related, because I started my business to find a solution and not because I wanted to run a business. Setting the right structures and understanding how to manage the business profitably was a huge challenge. We are still structuring and restructuring, but we have also grown a lot.

What are you most proud of?

When I think of where we started from and the place we are at especially when it relates to he recognition and the number of lives we have been able to deploy solutions to, I feel good that we have finally found our footing but it also makes me realize how much more there needs to be done.

At Sosai, you work with a variety of partners. Can you perhaps tell us a bit more about one of your particularly successful collaborative partnerships?

I will say we have had a number of partners and cooperations that have been very beneficial to growing us to where we are. The most recent one that I believe will also further unlock the growth prospect and ensure the adoption of renewable energies to a larger number of people is the one with Independent Energy in the Netherlands where they have gone out of their way to support our getting access to the RVO and other export credit benefits in the Netherlands.

How did you get to know each other?

One of their former staff was seeking partners and we had worked with him in another company prior to this as such he sought me out and the introduction was done and we started our cooperation in the year 2017.

What did you achieve together?

We have together so far deployed solutions to over 5 institutions, about 20 homes and businesses all totaling over 100kw of installed energy.

What was the biggest hurdle in the process? 

I would say getting access to the export credit.

Who can cooperate with Sosai?

 A trustworthy and seeking impact kind of organizations or even individuals can cooperate with Sosai.

What requirements should potential partners bring with them?

Business Development Expertise, Access to solutions and the willingness to partner effectively.

How can German entrepreneurs reading the interview support you?

In a number of ways! We are looking for introductions to supporting individuals and businesses who are interested in the impact their involvement will bring.

Is there a particular area in which you could use support at the moment? 

Finding the right kind of capital is one as the opportunities in the sector are huge, getting the right kind of finance that enables deployment will be helpful.

What do you hope for your company in 2022? 

Growth! This would mean deploying solutions to over 50,000 more people at least, generating a positive revenue stage, changing the narrative from COVID times to a positive end of year that is profitable.

Contact

Website: https://sosairen.org/

LinkedIn: Habiba Ali

Photos: Vital Voices