Sunny Money

Selling innovative solar products based on micro-franchising networks
Clean Energy
Kenya

Sunny Money, in partnership with microfinance institutions and community-based organisations provides affordable, reliable and clean energy, particularly for lighting. It has manufactured solar products in local facilities since 2008 and aims to replace other forms of non-renewable energy such as kerosene and batteries, which reduces emissions and generates carbon credits. The products include a solar kit to power household appliances and a solar lamp to replace kerosene lamps which are detrimental to health and the environment. In the longer term, Sunny Money aims to supply products for other uses, such as education and communication. As a distribution model, Sunny Money uses a micro-franchising system based on local entrepreneurs. The solar products are sold by the micro-franchisees to households in rural communities in Kenya and Malawi. There are currently 35 manufacturers and 200 micro-franchisees in Kenya and Malawi. 

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Sunny Money increases the quality of life in rural Africa by selling innovative solar products, which are manufactured and sold by the community members.
  • Creating manufacturing and supply-chain jobs for people who would otherwise be unemployed.
  • Making a franchisee network as gender-balanced as possible, helping women achieve independence and respect within their community.
  • Providing affordable, reliable and clean energy, particularly for lighting.
  • Replacing other forms of non-renewable energy such as kerosene and batteries, thereby reducing emissions.
  • Supplying with products for other uses, such as education and communication.
  • Offering employment and alternative income.
  • Enabling the entrepreneurs to participate in the mainstream economy and contribute to taxes and support the economic development of the country.

 

Partners

A community-based initiative that increases quality of life in rural Africa by selling innovative solar products, which are manufactured in local facilities and are sold by micro-franchisees in their communities.

SolarAid has set up and manages the Sunny Money micro-franchise.

WISER, an organization that works with women and girls in rural Kenya, helps to identify, train and manage women franchisees.

Microloan Foundation is a microfinance institution that provides working capital to franchisees in Malawi.

Neema Crafts, a social enterprise based in Tanzania, works with the deaf and disabled and is being trained in solar entrepreneurship.