A loan helped to purchase solar home systems that will be financed for rural customers in Zambia.


Wid Energy's story

WidEnergy is a women-led social enterprise in Zambia that offers affordable d.light solar-powered home systems, payable in installments. Zambia is one of the most energy-poor countries in the world with an electrification rate of less than 4% in rural areas. The severe lack of energy access in the country and poor grid reliability in urban areas has led to a dearth of power provision across the country. The average household spends up to 30% of their limited income on kerosene, batteries, or diesel generators, which are expensive and environmentally harmful.

To date, WidEnergy has provided over 25,000 people with lighting powered by clean energy. This month, WidEnergy fully repaid their first Kiva loan in full on schedule. They would now like to fundraise a second loan through Kiva to provide energy access to an additional several thousand vulnerable households during this uncertain time. WidEnergy is working to reach their mission of lighting up 50,000 households by 2023.


This loan is special because:

It catalyzes access to affordable solar-powered products for lower-income households across Africa and Asia.



Loan details


Lenders and lending teams




Loan details