From light to livelihood: How solar energy sparked a career for Ziada in Niger
EnDev’s demand-side subsidy project in Niger not only brings clean energy to underserved areas—it creates meaningful employment. Meet Ziada Ada Malam, once an unpaid volunteer, now a thriving sales agent who creates income for himself, powers homes, and inspires others to follow his path.
A volunteer committed to his community
Thirty-year-old Ziada Ada Malam is married with two children. Ziada has always been very active in his community, Bagaroua. As the president of the Youth Council he has worked with passion to support his community and bring people together to drive positive change. Despite his commitment, he worked on a voluntary basis, without a regular source of income. As a father who wanted to give his family a better life, he struggled with unemployment and unstable work.
Demand-side subsidies bring hope for young Ziada
That’s when EnDev’s demand-side subsidies (DSS) project opened a new door for Ziada. The project is part of a global component, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, testing innovative DSS mechanisms to make access to modern energy services affordable for low-income and displaced populations. To support implementation, the project recruits and trains youth to become sales agents for energy products. These agents help solar companies to market, distribute, install, and maintain solar kits in their communities.rnrnLooking for a steady income, Ziada applied to become a sales agent. EnDev selected him for the training from many candidates. Through the training, he gained strong technical and sales skills, which he was eager to put into practise. His hard work and dedication would soon pay off.
A new start with SOL-Niger
Because of his outstanding performance in the training, EnDev’s partner solar company SOL-Niger recruited Ziada for selling and installing solar kits in Bagaroua. His arrival marked a turning point for the company. Within months, he achieved impressive results by promoting solar home systems subsidised by EnDev as a reliable and sustainable solution for local energy needs. With daily sales ranging from ten to forty solar kits, his success soon earned him a well-deserved promotion.
Before, I was just a freelance sales agent for the company. But today I am a contracted agent, who is responsible for the company SOL. I am also supervising all the technical sales agents who work for the company SOL-Niger in the municipalities of Bagaroua, Bangui, Azarori and Sabon Guida.
Ziada, Niger
Tangible impact on his life, career and family
Beyond his business success, Ziada’s personal transformation shows the real impact of the project – beyond providing affordable energy access. Once a volunteer with no regular income, he is now a skilled professional, earning enough to provide a decent life for his family.rnrnu003cemu003eu0022Per day, I can earn between 30,000 and 60,000 CFA in net income, depending on the volume of kits sold, or nearly 900,000 CFA per monthu0022, u003c/emu003ehe says.rnrnWith his income, he can also consider medium- and long-term personal projects, as he explainsu003cemu003e:u003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu0022My living conditions have changed a lot. Through the sale and installation of solar kits, I have been able to save and invest a lot. My biggest investment: the construction of a house.u0022 u003c/emu003ernrnDue to his dedicated work and with the support by the EnDev DSS project, Ziada can now support his family while playing a key role in bringing solar energy to people in rural areas who need it most.
A role model for Nigerian youth
Today, Ziada is seen as a success story in his community. His journey shows that with the right training, support and motivation, young people can find their place in the job market and contribute to their community’s social and economic development.
Through initiatives like this, EnDev’s DSS project shows that investing in young people and providing job opportunities brings lasting benefits for young people, businesses and communities alike.
