In a remote Kenyan village, a group of children are gathered, happy to sing in unison, with their eager faces illuminated by a device’s glow, which their teacher holds. Although rather common in all developed and most developing countries, this ‘extraordinary’ scene in a poverty-stricken region was made possible by Li Xia, founder and CEO of Shenzhen Solar Run Energy.
“My mission is to bridge Africa’s energy inequality through innovation, determination, and the critical support from my partners, including UNIDO ITPO Beijing, China”, said Li Xia. “Light is not just about illumination; it is about hope as true empowerment comes when energy unlocks education and opportunity”.
Li Xia wanted to address the challenges faced by millions across Africa who lacked access to sustainable, affordable lighting and education. She identified sustainability and accessibility in off-grid communities as the main barriers and developed the ‘Solar Media’ – an innovative combination of a solar home lighting system and digital learning.
The Solar Media delivered more than just light, it also provided educational content tailored to rural communities: from agricultural techniques to beekeeping and baking skills, the Solar Media became a gateway to knowledge. For Rehema Yusuf, a mother of three living in a small village in Kenya, it was life changing:
“Before, I had no skills and no income and yet I still had to raise my three children”, said Rehema. “After participating in the Solar Media project and acquiring hairdressing and braiding skills, I started to earn around 1,000 shillings per month. Now, I can buy milk powder for my baby and supplement his nutrition; I even started my own beauty salon!”.
Solar Run Energy’s success did not go unnoticed: the company was honored twice by the Global Call, a platform championing innovative solutions to global challenges. With the support of the UNIDO ITPO Beijing, China, Li Xia explained was able to scale up her operations by setting up a assembly factory in Ethiopia, which slashed costs and delivery times, thus ensuring quicker and more cost-effective access to solar solutions for remote communities.
Today, the company operates in over 60 countries and works with numerous international partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, and Fortune 500 companies. It has empowered 8.15 million people, benefited 1.63 million off-grid families and generate USD138.6 million in additional income while displacing 2.02 million tons of CO₂ emissions, the equivalent of planting 33 million trees.
In the small village of Nthunguni in Kenya, the changes are very tangible: girls study safely after sunset and women like Rehema went from being dependent to becoming breadwinners. Looking ahead, Li Xia remains focused on deepening UNIDO’s collaborative model as it has proven that energy poverty can be avoided when innovation meets partnership. As dusk falls over Nthunguni, the Solar Media’s glow persists, a quiet but unshakable promise of progress, one light at a time.
For more information, please contact:
Office of Communications, Conferences and Media Relations (CCM): ccm@unido.org
UNIDO ITPO Beijing, China: itpo.beijing@unido.org
This article is reposted from the official website of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
本文转载自联合国工业发展组织（UNIDO）官方网站。
