Illuminating and Empowering Rural Africa.

How Innovation Africa is transforming Jewish and Non-Jewish Communities with Israeli Solar Technology.

Development, albeit much slower, is sweeping across the continent, but unfortunately, not at the same rate in the majority of the remote areas. Despite calls for modernity and improved living standards, rural areas are lagging behind on this journey. These locations, typical shadows of what they represent— hardship, isolation, and limited access to basic amenities— are found in almost many parts of Africa.

In many parts of rural Africa, the setting sun marks the end of productive endeavors: without electricity, darkness prevails in the evening, halting several essential services and activities, even religious practices as well. The lack of access to clean water, in addition, further compounds the daily challenges faced by millions.

Though the categories of rural locations differ in size and their degree of vulnerability. Yet, amidst this widespread darkness, a new light is rising— one powered not by chance, but by innovation and compassion. That light, a wave of change making a tremendous impact, is being brought by Innovation Africa, an Israeli non-governmental organization transforming underserved remote communities through solar energy and water access.

Innovation Africa’s projects have benefited some African Jewish communities, many of which are located in remote and rural areas. The change is obvious judging from when we never thought of solar to now that we’re witnessing solar-powered Jewish communities mostly in Uganda. From lighting synagogues and mikveot to powering irrigation and clean water systems, solar energy is reshaping what it means to thrive in Africa’s countryside.

One of the greatest challenges faced in rural areas in Africa is widespread underdevelopment. It is estimated that over 600 million people live without reliable electricity on the continent. Similarly, in regions where Jewish communities live—such as Uganda’s Eastern region—access to basic infrastructure like water and electricity is often, unfortunately unavailable. The outcome of this weak public system is far-reaching: some young people walk miles daily to fetch water, women give birth in darkness, and farms are plagued with irregular rainfall due to climate change.

For many Jewish families in these rural settings, the challenges extend to religious life. Observing Jewish rituals— like immersing in a mikveh, hosting evening prayers and Shabbat dinners, or studying Torah at night— becomes complicated without power or light. And in some cases, when the electricity is available, some synagogues are not always able to pay for the electricity bill to keep it lighted. No doubt, maintaining a vibrant Jewish identity should be encouraged and prioritized, especially if there is a reliable alternative system available to power these Jewish locations. This quiet revolution is the one brought by Innovation Africa’s solar energy mission.

Founded in 2008 by Sivan Yaari, Innovation Africa was born from a simple yet powerful idea: use Israeli’s proven technologies to bring solutions that would tackle one of Africa’s basic development challenges. The organization provides alternative energy by installing solar-powered water pumping systems, solar electricity solutions, and drip irrigation technologies. All of their projects utilize a cutting-edge system that is managed through a digital monitoring platform accessible from anywhere in the world.

To date, Innovation Africa has implemented over 950 projects in 10 African countries, impacting over 5 million people in 1,300 villages. By leveraging the available rich African sunshine, the organization delivers clean water to isolated communities by providing lighting and electricity to schools, synagogues, and medical centers. Under its water projects, Innovation Africa uses effective Israeli technology to provide water for both domestic and irrigation purposes. Their work is cost- effective, transparent, and community-centered. Each project begins with village consultations, engages local technicians, and includes long-term training and support.

***A group photo taken with members of the Innovation Africa team at the entrance of their main office on 20/02/2025***

On Wednesday, 20th of February, I made a brief visit to their office on Wanale Road in Mbale to meet the team behind their impressive performance in Uganda. Seated down in the main office room, I couldn’t help but stare at the water project flowsheet showing visibly on a whiteboard, revealing decisions and steps in different but interconnected, complicated-looking procedures that successfully deliver water projects. It was truly an honor to speak with Alfred and Eric, two of their finest staff, who answered all my questions during our discussion.

With smiles all over his face, Alfred stated that they have received tons of requests from villages and communities that need our solar-powered boreholes. He continued:

Even though we can’t help everyone at the same time, we prioritize how vulnerable the village in question is— its population and proximity to any existing water sources in the area.” Then, in answering one of my questions, Eric spoke in confidence. “We don’t just install boreholes; we train people on how to manage, repair, and troubleshoot the system. We only send a team to fix a major malfunction and get it running again.

In Uganda, several Jewish communities— like Kwania, Namutumba, Nasenyi, Nangolo, and Putti— are entirely rural. Until recently, most of them relied on kerosene lamps, unclean water sources, and manual farming methods. Not only did the economic opportunities become limited due to lack of electricity, but also religious expression. But thanks to Innovation Africa, who have been changing the narratives. According to Alfred, the construction of a solar- powered synagogue in Putti was actually the first Jewish community to benefit from Innovation Africa projects in the country.

***The solar-powered synagogue in the Putti Jewish community, built by Innovation Africa, standing beside the historic old shul.***

The Putti Jewish community, located in Eastern Uganda at the outskirts of Mbale, has long dreamt of a synagogue that reflects its spiritual aspirations. Its old synagogue, a small building that has kept the community going, still stands today as a tourist site. Their dream of getting a better synagogue became a reality when Innovation Africa began working in Uganda. The organization supported the construction and solar electrification of a new synagogue building, erected next to the old synagogue.

With solar-capability, evening services now hold at the Synagogue, including Torah learning, and community events that were previously restricted once the evening darkness comes. Solar lighting has not only enhanced the religious atmosphere— it has strengthened Jewish identity and cohesion. Children can now take part in Hebrew lessons after sunset, and Shabbat gatherings are more joyful and meaningful.

In addition to the synagogue, mini-solar panels were also installed on the homes of some synagogue members who live far away in the sparsely populated Putti village. Recently, Innovation Africa completed the installation of a similar solar electrification system at the Kahal Kadosh Beth Shalom (KKBS) congregation in Nangolo, with funding from the Kirsh Foundation. In comparison to Putti, this 2023 project is a testament that Innovation Africa is true to its mission of providing solar for humanitarian courses.

***The Kahal Kadosh Beth Shalom Synagogue in Nangolo, now illuminated by so\lar energy solutions provided by Innovation Africa.***

But unlike Putti, it didn’t construct a synagogue from scratch; it only powered up the newly built KKBS synagogue. Additionally, the village is currently getting a more potent and innovative public water system in an effort to reach more people in the surrounding area. The Nangolo village project utilizes solar energy to provide water for public use, which demonstrates how a single intervention can transform an entire community. During Purim of 2025, I was with the congregation in Nangolo headed by JJ Keki, which happened to be my second visit to the community. A walk through the little village will reveal the construction layout template of the water project.

By drilling into the ground and tapping from its rich aquifer, clean water is distributed through underground pipes across a section of the village near the synagogue. Prior to this, women and children would walk some kilometers daily to fetch water from open and contaminated water sources. But the feature of this village water scheme allows the water to be generated at the main site of the solar water generation and stored in overhead tanks, while villagers can access this water from different designated spots in Nangolo.

***A newly installed solar-powered public water tank in Nangolo, supporting community access to clean water.***

The construction involves the installation of a submersible solar pump with a 10-meter tower and an underground distribution channel that feeds many taps in the village. When this project gets completed, with a simple turn of a tap, families can access clean, reliable water— leading to better hygiene, lower the risk of disease, and provide people more time for school and work.

***One of several community taps fed by a network of underground water pipes.***

In Namutumba, the focus was on cultivating self-reliance through agriculture. Farming here, like in many other places, depends on seasonal rainfall, which is not enough, and cases of prolonged droughts have left them vulnerable to food insecurity. It was on this backdrop that the “Namutumba Agriculture for Life” scheme was formed in 2017 after a famine period experienced in Uganda. This project, the brainchild of Israel Siriri, Ssekiddu Isaac, and Nehemiah Muguya, has over the years extended its activities from food crops to cash crops to ensure diversification and sustainability.

***10-metre high solar-powered water tank in Namutumba, constructed to support irrigation agriculture.***

Nevertheless, with the recent intervention of Innovation Africa, agricultural operations have received a significant technological boost in the Namutumba Abayudaya community. With solar-driven pumps channeling water to farmland through drip irrigation, crop yields have increased. The community now grows maize, pineapple, cassava, banana, and chilis. The solar project by Innovation Africa does support agriculture and simultaneously provides water that is distributed to 17 taps in the area, sustaining about 3,000 people living in the village.

***One of 17 solar-fed taps delivering clean water for household use in Namutumba.***

On February 27th, the Nasenyi Jewish community in Uganda inaugurated a new synagogue. If you have been to Kahal Kadosh She’erit Yisrael (KKSY) before now, you can better understand what tremendous change it got, dismantling the old building and putting up a magnificent piece. Thanks to the significant support from SJUA (Sephardi Jews of Uganda Assistance) and a couple of other individuals solidly behind the Nasenyi community. It was a wonderful gathering on that day as visitors from across the globe stormed the venue to officially open up the new shul.

A few yards away from the solar-powered synagogue building, a farmland extends about 6 hectares for the community’s food security efforts. Then about another one and a half kilometers away, there is a solar-lit mikveh built in 2023. Despite being small and remote, the Nasenyi community is deeply committed to Jewish practices. On this basis, Innovation Africa happily installed solar lighting in the mikveh, an essential ritual bath for family purity and conversion, enabling it to operate at night.

***The mikveh at the KKSY Synagogue, powered by solar energy***.

Generally, what sets Innovation Africa apart is its holistic, sustainable model. A transparent system equipped with remote monitoring, allowing managers to track energy usage, water flow, and maintenance in real time. One of their success secrets is maintaining a dedicated workforce made up of engineers, field officers, managers, and experts. They train technicians on the site to handle repairs, ensuring that the community maintains the systems instead of abandoning them. This empowerment model transforms beneficiaries into caretakers, thereby reducing dependency and fostering resilience.

Inspiring founder of Innovation Africa Sivan Yaari—who also doubles as CEO of the tech organization—expressed her enduring motivation and the mission ahead while recently commissioning a new solar-powered water tank in a Malawian village. Another project of a similar nature is currently underway in neighboring Zambia and is scheduled to launch later in August.

We’re proud to bring the light of Israeli innovation to Jewish and non-Jewish communities alike—powering synagogues, mikvehs, farms, and futures. When the lights turn on or clean water flows, it’s not just technology—it’s dignity, opportunity, and hope.

Moreover, the inclusion of Jewish and non-Jewish communities alike reinforces a shared humanity— proving that Israeli technology can serve as a bridge for cross-cultural cooperation and understanding. Looking ahead, the success stories of these solar-powered Ugandan Jewish communities point toward a compelling future. And as Innovation Africa expands its reach, more Jewish communities across Sub-Saharan Africa could gain access to electricity, clean water, and agricultural solutions.

In a world facing both climatic and economic crises, solar energy offers a path that is clean, renewable, and adaptable. To see African Jewish communities leveraging technology— which offers continuity— the ability to pass on the tradition, educate the next generation, and live Jewishly with pride. According to Jewish literature, Israel is referred to as the “light unto the nations.” Through the work of Innovation Africa, this calling is being fulfilled in the most literal sense. Light is entering homes, synagogues, mikvehs, schools, and fields— nourishing both body and soul.

No doubt, this growing collaboration between Israeli innovation and African Jewish communities is more than a humanitarian effort. It is a profound statement that even the most remote and marginalized communities can be empowered, dignified, and included in the global Jewish narratives.