Today’s theme at COP29 is Food, Agriculture, and Water in recognition that these sectors are both threatened by climate change and have a role to play in providing solutions to the crisis. USAID’s Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) Senegal program works at the intersection of agriculture, water, and energy through its efforts to solarize water pumps, which reduces emissions and improves communities' climate resilience, nutrition, and water security.
In rural Senegal, diesel-powered water pumps have largely replaced manual water extraction, but the user experience is far from ideal. Farmers like Aminata Niang, a 42-year-old from the seaside village of Mouit in northern Senegal’s Saint-Louis region, faced substantial challenges when using diesel pumps. The high costs and physical demands of the diesel pump hindered her ability to expand her agricultural production and manage her family responsibilities.
Most farmers in Mouit, including Niang and her family, grow onions and chili peppers for their livelihoods. Every morning, she walks for more than an hour to fields located outside the village to tend her family’s crops before returning home at sunset with her infant on her back. During the time when Niang relied on a diesel pump, she also had to periodically carry a 6.3-gallon container on foot for hours to refill gas in town. The cost of operating the pump consumed over 60 percent of her family’s gross annual income, severely limiting their ability to expand production.
In January 2024, USAID, through the SURE Senegal program, announced the award of over $1.1 million in grants to expand access to solar solutions, increase the productivity of small businesses operating in off-grid areas, and enhance the livelihoods of rural communities in Senegal. As part of this initiative, USAID provided nearly $92,000 to solar technology company Ibriz to facilitate women farmers’ access to solar water pumps in Niayes (Louga, Saint-Louis), Casamance (Kolda, Sedhiou, and Ziguinchor), and Eastern Senegal (Tambacounda, Kedougou).
Encouraged by the sustainable and cost-saving model proposed by Ibriz, Niang made a significant investment by signing a contract to acquire a solar water pump. Through the program, Niang is required to repay 204,000 CFA (approximately $326) every six months for a total of three years. Prior to that, she was paying 400,000 CFA (approximately $640) every six months for fuel.
After those three years, the equipment will be fully owned by her family. The new pump has already halved their pumping costs and freed up time previously spent refilling gasoline, allowing them to focus on agricultural production. Currently, the family only uses half of their land for growing crops, but they plan to expand their farming activities in the upcoming season.
The solar pump has significantly reduced our family’s burden. Now, I have more time to take care of my family. The money we save from diesel costs can be used to diversify and expand our crops.
USAID’s support has helped ensure that SURE Senegal's partners' solar water pump products stand out in the market. Historically, off-grid solar irrigation companies have provided limited services to women farmers, which is closely tied to discrimination in loan schemes. The results-based financing model implemented by SURE Senegal allows renewable energy developers to offer risk-sharing mechanisms that help defray the high upfront costs for female farmers and boost the uptake of solar solutions. Using a results-based financing approach, funds will be released as grantees like Ibriz meet project milestones, incentivizing them to serve marginalized groups.
Bodiel Ka, a 27-year-old farmer from Ndeugou in the Saint-Louis region, also installed a solar water pump through the SURE Senegal program. Previously, her family used a solar pump from another supplier, but it did not operate well due to insufficient quality and power. However, with the support of USAID, Bodiel received personalized guidance from an Ibriz technician, enabling her to acquire a better-sized and higher-quality pump that effectively meets the irrigation needs of her crops. Bodiel’s family is now planning to cultivate additional land.
Another important benefit of the program is the empowerment of women within their families. In Senegal, traditional family values often place women in supportive roles, typically focusing on household responsibilities and childcare. This cultural framework has historically limited women’s economic opportunities and decision-making power within the family. Participating in the SURE Senegal program offers women the opportunity to own and manage significant family property, allowing them to contribute directly to the family’s income and overall economic stability. Moreover, the ability to make financial decisions and manage resources fosters a sense of self-worth and confidence, enhancing their psychological well-being.
Niang and Ka’s stories are not unique. SURE Senegal is supporting up to 375 female farmers in launching products and accessing financing. The grants aim to promote the long-term growth of enterprises offering eligible off-grid devices. The expansion of these services contributes to economic growth in rural areas, particularly for women-led businesses that depend on electricity but are not yet connected to the power grid. By fostering market-driven growth of off-grid device businesses in rural areas, USAID is enabling more women entrepreneurs to operate their businesses, improve their livelihoods, and create jobs.
“I will definitely send our children to school. I want them to learn French and gain skills that can change their lives,” Niang said. The impact of the solar pump extends far beyond just providing water; it brings continuous, long-term benefits that will shape the future.
Michael Ruobin Liu
Michael Ruobin Liu is a graduate student in the Global Human Development program at Georgetown University, specializing in energy access and transition. This past summer, he joined the Senegal team of the Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) project, where he was responsible for data analysis and communication. Michael is dedicated to advancing renewable energy solutions and aims to contribute to sustainable development initiatives in emerging economies.
