Women Entrepreneurs Shine Light on Agriculture in Benin
In Badékparou, the Women Energy Enterprises (WEE) Association, with support from EnDev in Benin, organised an awareness-raising session for women from agricultural cooperatives. The event showcased the benefits of solar equipment for improving productivity and transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial production. Live demonstrations allowed participants to see practical applications, such as solar pumps, sprayers, and freezers.
Big Barriers for Small Businesses
The use of agricultural and processing equipment is crucial for modernising production units and increasing productivity. However, agricultural cooperatives and businesses, particularly those run by women, often lack the skills needed to select and use electrical equipment efficiently. This is largely due to limited access to technical and financial information, a lack of specialised training, and cultural and social barriers. These factors prevent women from maximizing their activities and making their products competitive. Key factors for improving women’s access include Benin’s abundant solar resources, the availability of solar equipment that eases workloads, and the need to raise awareness among women’s cooperatives about these technologies. Overcoming these barriers can help women harness solar energy to boost efficiency and profitability.
More Energy for Women in Agriculture
In Benin, EnDev’s overarching strategy is to foster a sustainable and self-reliant market for modern energy products and services that benefit households, social institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises. This joint session by EnDev and WEE sought to raise awareness among women about the opportunities offered by solar equipment, as a first step toward future technical training and capacity-building. WEE is a network of women-led enterprises, including both suppliers and users of energy for productive purposes. Its mission is to help close energy gaps in businesses while supporting their economic growth and long-term viability.
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Practice, Peer Exchange, and Visibility Matter
Participants showed strong interest in technologies that reduce daily workloads, particularly in vegetable farming and processing. Making technical information more accessible—on costs, maintenance, and suppliers—remains crucial. The involvement of women entrepreneurs from the energy sector positively influenced identification and motivation of beneficiaries. Practical, hands-on components were key to understanding and adopting solutions, showing potential for creating a local network of women users and promoters of solar energy. Mme Adiatou Djato, a farmer, shares: “I am happy and satisfied with this session, which allowed me to gain new knowledge through hands-on experience. It gave me the courage and self-confidence to commit to using solar equipment in my activities. I will put this newly acquired knowledge into practice.”
Participation
- 96 attendees (4% men)
- 74 beneficiaries (including 2 men)
- 18 WEE members
- 4 representatives from local authorities (including 2 men)
Future Opportunities
- Gradual adoption of solar technologies by some women’s groups for productive use.
- Better integration of women’s energy needs in local development planning.
- Opportunities to strengthen technical and organizational skills through targeted training, especially in equipment management and maintenance.
