New wave of Nigerian businesses joins effort to empower women and youth in agriculture through renewable technology

Abuja, Nigeria – August 9, 2026 –The Energizing Women & Youth in Agri-Food Systems program (EWAS), a collaboration between local businesses and RMI and backed by Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, is advancing in Nigeria.

Launched in January 2026, the initiative empowers Nigerian businesses with affordable finance, training, and commercial opportunities, enabling young women and youth to access the benefits of solar-powered equipment and services. The first cohort started with three businesses — Koolboks, Manamuz Coldbox Store, and Sunfi. They are joined now by three additional participants, all leaders in clean energy technology designed to increase productivity and incomes for agricultural entrepreneurs: Nimsy Agro Solar Concept, ThriveAgric, and Afrimash.

“Nigeria’s agricultural sector represents tremendous potential for economic growth, job creation, and innovation,” said Suleiman Babamanu, director of RMI’s Africa Energy Program. RMI has seen how solar-powered productive use of energy technologies can transform agriculture, unlock opportunities for women and young people, and build the prosperity and resilience of entire communities. We’re proud to be working with this cohort of entrepreneurs and businesses to help realize this opportunity.”

This cohort in Nigeria is part of the broader EWAS three-year program led by Global Energy Alliance in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aimed at enabling 17,000 jobs for young women and young people in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

Access to energy is just the beginning. To secure Nigeria’s food sovereignty, we must pair it with the tools, training, finance and market access that let women and youth farmers turn power into opportunity,” said Muhammad Wakil, country director for Nigeria at Global Energy Alliance. “Adding these three local businesses to EWAS accelerates solar deployment, tackling the 40% post-harvest losses that threaten rural economies and building markets that sustain themselves.”

Nimsy Agro Solar Concept was founded to transform agriculture through solar innovation. They design, build, and deploy solar-powered irrigation pumps, threshers, dryers, rural solar hubs, and irrigation reservoirs at competitive prices, enabling farmers to grow more food, earn more income, and build resilience against climate change.

“The EWAS project represents a transformative opportunity for Nimsy Agro Solar Concept to expand access to climate-smart irrigation and post-harvest processing technologies for smallholder farmers, particularly women,” said Dorcas Bongos, gender lead for Nimsy. “Through the deployment of solar-powered irrigation pumps and solar-powered processing equipment, we are enabling farmers to farm year-round, increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve their incomes. We are proud to be part of a project that is not only transforming agriculture but also creating sustainable livelihoods, strengthening food security, and driving economic empowerment through clean energy solutions.”

ThriveAgric leverages technology to provide profitable support for smallholder farmers across Africa, exploring a full range of agricultural technology solutions to unlock sustainable value for smallholder farmers.

“At ThriveAgric, true agricultural innovation isn’t measured merely by the sophistication of the technology, but by its tangible impact on last mile users,” said Samirah Bello, global head of partnerships at ThriveAgric. “The EWAS subgrant provides the vital momentum required to bridge the digital divide in rural farming communities. This partnership empowers us to champion the women who serve as the economic and social backbone of our agricultural sector, ensuring they have the modern tools and resources they need to optimize their yields, secure their livelihoods, and lead their communities toward a resilient future.”

Afrimash serves farmers and agro-processors nationwide with products, tools, and equipment through its e-commerce platform and agent network, supported by operations anchored in specific physical locations that provide structure to logistics, warehousing, and last-mile delivery.

“At Afrimash, we believe that access to energy-efficient agricultural equipment is key to improving productivity and building resilient livelihoods. Through EWAS, we are leveraging our platform and partner network to help women, youth, farmers, and microentrepreneurs access the tools they need to grow their businesses, strengthen food systems, and create lasting economic opportunities,” said Dr. Ayo Oyedotun, CEO of Afrimash.

With the first wave of businesses already recruiting prospective entrepreneurs and training underway, EWAS is beginning to translate ambition into action. As the program expands, it will help equip women and youth with the tools, skills, and market access needed to build stronger agricultural enterprises and unlock new economic opportunities. By creating dignified jobs, improving livelihoods, and reducing emissions through clean energy solutions, EWAS is laying the foundation for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s agri-food sector.

Media Inquiries, please contact: 

Denali Hussin, Strategic Communications Manager, RMI 
dhussin@rmi.org  

About RMI 

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to secure a prosperous, resilient, clean energy future for all. In collaboration with businesses, policymakers, funders, communities, and other partners, RMI drives investment to scale clean energy solutions, reduce energy waste, and boost access to affordable clean energy in ways that enhance security, strengthen the economy, and improve people’s livelihoods. RMI is active in over 50 countries. 

About Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet 

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet is a global nonprofit that builds public, private and philanthropic partnerships (PPPPs) to accelerate clean energy and economic opportunity. Founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation and Bezos Earth Fund, we build the technical, financial and institutional foundations that make clean energy investable and scalable across emerging economies. Our work is anchored in two mutually reinforcing global pillars that together address the market fragmentation that has historically slowed down progress on energy access and economic development: Grids of the Future and Powering Opportunity. Our Grids of the Future work strengthens energy supply through AI-enabled, renewables-ready power grids. Powering Opportunity builds demand, helping people harness clean energy to power businesses, create jobs and drive economic growth. Together, these pillars create a reinforcing cycle of abundant energy and economic opportunity. 

With 130 projects across Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, we are on track to reach 91 million people with clean energy, create or improve more than 3 million jobs and prevent nearly 300 million tons of carbon emissions. For more information, please visit www.energyalliance.org and follow us on LinkedIn.