Instollar Technologies: Female Founder of the Year Launches Ambitious Clean Energy Initiative

The 2025 inaugural Sustainable Times RISE Awards took place beneath the glittering chandeliers at the Grand De Vere Connaught Rooms in London, awarding innovators worldwide. The winner of the ‘Founder of the Year’ award, sponsored by NatWest, went to Instollar Technologies Founder Chinwe Udo-Davis. She has created a tech-enabled workforce platform which is rapidly closing the gender gap in Africa’s solar industry through its ambitious 'InstallHER Initiative.'

Addressing the Green Workforce Gap

Instollar Technologies specialises in providing workforce solutions across the clean energy sector, from solar home systems to commercial & industrial installations, by connecting companies with a growing pool of over 1,200 trained and vetted gig workers.

However, the company noticed a critical disparity in their data. "Out of over 1,200 technicians in our workforce database, less than 1% were women. That’s a gap we can’t afford to ignore,” said Ms. Udo-Davis.

This stark under-representation prompted the launch of the InstallHER Initiative: a clean energy training and empowerment programme designed to bring more women into Africa’s fast-growing solar industry.

Empowerment Through Skills and Opportunity

The goal of InstallHER is to eliminate the traditional barriers that exclude women from the solar sector, such as technical entry requirements and limited exposure.

“InstallHER is our solution—a hands-on pathway for women to access the skills, opportunities, and income potential in Africa’s energy transition,” Udo-Davis explained.

With support from the Acumen Angels Grant, InstallHER is currently training its second cohort of 100 women across Nigeria. The programme aims to reach 10,000 women by 2030, making it one of the most ambitious female-focused clean energy initiatives in the region.

The custom-built curriculum provides:

• Hands-on training in solar installation and maintenance.

• Entrepreneurship and business development modules.

• Pathways into sales agency roles with solar companies.

  
  

The pilot cohort, which took place in June 2024, trained over 30 women, many of whom have already secured job placements with reputable solar companies or engaged in profitable sales-related activities within their communities. Instollar provides financial support for trainees’ fare and meals to ensure full commitment.

Impact Story: Khadijah’s Career Revitalised

The programme’s success is best illustrated by the stories of its graduates. After a career break for marriage and maternity, Khadijah was determined to re-enter the workforce in the renewable energy sector. Through the InstallHER training, she excelled, topping her class in weekly assessments and mastering solar installation and maintenance.

Thanks to the programme and its partners, Khadijah secured an internship at Koolboks with a monthly stipend offering a 60% increase from her previous salary. Her outstanding performance led to a promotion to a permanent Customer Service Agent role.

By equipping women like Khadijah with technical skills and connecting them to real income-generating opportunities, Instollar Technologies is building a gender-inclusive talent pipeline that supports Nigeria’s clean energy transition and fosters sustainable, long-term growth.