Tayo Solar and Photocopy

• Year Founded: 2022
• Location: Awbare Refugee Camp, Ethiopia
• Energy Solutions and Services: Solar energy solutions, printing services, lighting solutions, device charging services
• Thematic Areas of Focus: Renewable electricity access
• Number of Employees: 10
• Contact: tayosolar2025@gmail.com

Tayo Solar and Photocopy's Impact Story

In Awbare Refugee Camp, access to reliable energy and essential services remains a major challenge for the community. Electricity is primarily supplied through diesel generators, which operate only at night. The high cost and limited availability of diesel fuel, often requiring long journeys to purchase, make electricity both expensive and unreliable. As a result, many households and businesses struggle to carry out daily activities and sustain operations. The reliance on diesel also raises environmental concerns, contributing to pollution and harming the local ecosystem. Beyond energy, the camp faces shortages in printing and documentation services. With only a few providers available, residents are often forced to walk two to three kilometers to access these services, adding further strain to already difficult living conditions.

To respond to these challenges, Tayo Solar and Printing has introduced a range of community-driven solutions designed to improve daily life in Awbare Refugee Camp. By harnessing clean and renewable solar energy, the initiative now provides households and businesses with reliable 24-hour electricity. Families are able to pay on a monthly basis, making access far more affordable than relying on costly diesel generators. Families now have access mobile charging and power for other essential devices.

The journey and growth of Tayo Solar have been made possible through the valuable support of key partners. Funding and technical assistance from Ashden and ZOA have enabled the organization to move closer to its goals, while Inkomoko has provided essential training and business development skills that have strengthened operations and built long-term sustainability. Tayo Solar remains deeply grateful for this support and looks forward to continuing collaboration with existing and new partners lto further expand its impact and reach more communities in need.

To date Tayo Solar has generated a meaningful impact across the community in three key areas:

• Job creation: The initiative has trained and hired staff to support the installation and maintenance of solar systems, creating direct employment opportunities within the camp. At the same time, by supplying electricity to small businesses such as tailoring shops, Tayo Solar has opened up indirect opportunities for local entrepreneurs to grow and thrive.
• Environmental preservation: By replacing diesel generators with clean solar energy, the initiative has reduced pollution and promoted a shift toward more sustainable energy practices, helping to protect the local environment.
• Community development: Reliable access to electricity has transformed daily life for households and businesses, improving quality of life, enhancing productivity, and enabling families and entrepreneurs to operate with greater efficiency and dignity.

Success Factors

The success of Tayo Solar and Printing is rooted in two key factors. First, the organization has built strong relationships within the community by designing solutions that directly respond to their unique needs and challenges. Second, it has adopted a customer-centered approach, ensuring that services remain accessible and affordable, which has encouraged widespread use and long-term trust.

Future Plans and Support Needs

Looking ahead, the vision for Tayo Solar is to expand solar energy solutions so that every household in Awbare Refugee Camp can access reliable lighting and electricity. Beyond Awbare, the goal is to scale operations to other displaced communities in the region, ensuring that more people benefit from affordable and sustainable energy.

To achieve this vision, additional support will be essential in the form of funding, training and strategic partnerships. With this support, Tayo Solar can increase the scale of solar installations, train more staff to manage and sustain operations, and develop innovative energy solutions tailored to the evolving needs of displaced communities.

About the Founder

Abdikadir, the founder of Tayo Solar and Printing, was forced to flee Somalia at a young age with his family due to the civil war. Displacement and the absence of peace in his homeland shaped much of his early life. For the past 18 years, he has lived in Awbare Refugee Camp, where he transformed his experiences into action by establishing an initiative aimed at addressing the pressing challenges faced by his community.