DP World’s partnership with Barefoot College International  continues to empower women and communities across Africa, as ten women from the Horn of Africa have graduated from the Solar Mamas programme.

In collaboration with their local communities and DP World, BCI selected these ten women from villages near Berbera and Hargeisa in Somaliland to participate in a three-month training course at BCI’s training centre in Zanzibar, Tanzania. During the programme, the women were trained as solar energy and maintenance technicians, and taught essential entrepreneurship and life skills, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to start their own small-scale ventures in their communities.

These women, six from Berbera and four from Hargeisa, are the first beneficiaries of the Solar Mamas initiative in the Horn of Africa. Inspired by the success of DP World’s Solar Mamas in Senegal, this programme is transforming communities by providing rooftop solar-generated electricity to homes in their villages and by improving crop outputs through sustainable, regenerative farming techniques.

Speaking on the occasion, Supachai Wattanaveerachai, CEO Horn of Africa at DP World, said: “We take great pride in our Solar Mama graduates. This initiative plays a vital role in DP World’s overarching strategy to promote sustainable development and empower local communities in the areas where we operate, contributing towards positive outcomes on 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.”

“We are delighted to have played a part in this inspiring project, which we hope will create a significant and lasting impact on the communities involved,” Wattanaveerachai added.

Sue Stevenson, Director Strategic Partnerships and International Development for Barefoot College International, said: “These women exemplify integrity, courage, and a fierce determination to illuminate their communities and inspire hope for their families. We are thrilled with their commitment and grateful for DP World’s ongoing support in creating such significant impact within these communities. Together, we are developing holistic solutions to enhance women’s lives, combat poverty, and foster sustainable communities.”

By expanding the Solar Mamas programme, DP World and BCI are dedicated to offering clean energy solutions and economic opportunities for women in underserved communities, supporting a just transition. Approximately one billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity, and many development initiatives depend on complex technologies that are often not feasible for rural areas and hard to manage. Addressing this challenge, the Solar Mamas initiative operates at the grassroots level. It equips women with hands-on skills that overcome language and literacy obstacles, allowing them to install and maintain solar power systems within their communities, earning an income from this service.