This is accomplished with the Lytefire Solar Oven, that is already in use by entrepreneurs in other countries with ample sunshine.
STEM Synergy, is a US-Ethiopian NGO, focused on empowering youths and women through practical education, sustainable local solutions and entrepreneurship in Ethiopia.
Establishing the positive impact of the Lytefire in Ethiopia will go a long way to improve local incomes and livelihoods, reduce carbon emissions and the deforestation that is caused by the rampant use of firewood (and charcoal made from trees).
By primarily empowering women to become solar entrepreneurs, the project also uses solar energy as a force to tackle Sustainable Development Goal 5 : Gender Equality.
We are especially excited about STEM Synergy’s long-term approach to poverty alleviation :
“Short-term humanitarian aid to help poor people is usually not enough to lift them out of the cycle of poverty. Poverty alleviation is a long-term strategy that should lead to self-reliance and sustainability. Technology and innovation are the best weapons to fight poverty and break the cycle of individual and societal poverty in Africa. “ Yishehak Shata, Chair of Board of Directors, STEM Synergy
With the Lytefire we have developed a technology that fits STEM Synergy’s goals and that can be used to power local, sustainable entrepreneurship. With STEM Synergy’s excellent technical and educational expertise, we are sure that our partnership in form of a license will unleash a wave of solar entrepreneurship in the country with time.
You can see here an update from 2025 presenting some projects ran by STEM in the country.
STEM Synergy’s website : https://stemsynergy.org/
