Four women from Angola and six more from Senegal formed a dynamic graduating class one filled with purpose and upon graduation day, incredible joy.
“The joy on their faces as we gave them their diplomas is something I’ll never forget,” Senegal Director Karine Sar. “One woman cried with joy as we handed it to her. She worked so hard to earn this and will continue to do great things for her community.”
Around the same time, four women from Pemba and four from Central African Republic traveled to Zanzibar. Each left their homes and families for three months to embark on Barefoot College International’s Solar Engineering Training Program.
“These are brave women,” Country Director Brenda Geofrey said. “They leave their homes to embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment and leadership that will have tremendous ripple effects across their communities.”
These women were the most recently celebrated as each of the BCI regional campuses celebrated significant graduations in the first quarter of 2026.
DP World Funds 32 Solar Engineers
In Senegal, DP World’s partnership with BCI has been a critical catalyst for expansion of solar into Angola, the first to train with BCI.
“We have reached an important milestone,” DP World stated in a recent press release. “Representing the villages of Quipungo, Songoriapemba, Massange and Kazombo, these women were chosen for their courage to enter a field traditionally dominated by men, their willingness to learn, and their determination to drive change in their villages.”
During the training, the women were taught essential solar energy and entrepreneurship skills, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to start their own micro-enterprises and provide solar energy solutions within their communities. The training has prepared them to install, operate and maintain solar power systems, while also building their confidence as local leaders.
“We take great pride in our Solar Mama graduates from Angola and congratulate them on this significant achievement in their lives. This initiative plays a vital role in DP World’s overarching strategy to promote sustainable development and empower local communities in the areas where we operate, with particular focus on women and education,” Esha Mansingh, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability: sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said. “We are proud to have supported a total of 32 women to complete the BCI training and who are now using their knowledge and skills to create a lasting impact in their communities across sub-Saharan Africa.”
DP World and BCI’s shared commitment to offering clean energy solutions and new economic opportunities for women in underserved communities, supporting a just transition to a low-carbon future, sustains the partnership.
Around one billion people worldwide still lack access to electricity, and many development initiatives rely on complex technologies that are often not viable in rural areas. The Solar Mamas initiative equips women with practical, hands-on skills that overcome language and literacy barriers, enabling them to install and maintain solar systems in their villages and to earn an income from these services.
Speaking at the graduation event honouring DP World’s Solar Mamas from Angola, Sue Stevenson, Director Strategic Partnerships and International Development for Barefoot College International, said:
“These women exemplify integrity, courage, and a fierce determination to illuminate their communities and inspire hope for their families. We are thrilled with our strides and grateful for DP World’s support in creating a significant impact for these rural women. Together, we are developing holistic solutions to enhance women’s lives, combat poverty, and foster sustainable communities.”
A new cohort is currently underway in Senegal with the next graduation coming at the end of May.
Zanzibar graduation promotes government partnership
The graduation of the women from Penba and Central African Republic was also a celebration of the successful collaboration between BCI-Zanzibar and The Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency. The framework for the MOU came together this summer when Stevenson and BCI-UK Board Chair Tracey Balch traveled to Zanzibar and met with Executive Director Hon. Juma Burhan Mohamed.
BCI Board Member Hugh Stevenson also attended and spoke and graduation.
“This continues the amazing growth and impact of BCI-Zanzibar which is evident in these graduates and all the other activities around the campus and in the field,” Stevenson said, who toured solar installations and bee-keeping farms in rural areas prior to the graduation.