Episode 856
856: Ending Energy Poverty: Nedjip Tozun’s Vision to Reach 1 Billion Lives
Nearly 1 billion people still live without reliable electricity. Nedjip Tozun co-founded d.light to change that—starting with a $10 solar lantern and growing into one of the world’s most influential off-grid solar companies.
Today, d.light has already impacted hundreds of millions of lives and aspires to reach 1 billion by 2030, bringing affordable, clean energy to the people and places traditional grids overlook.
In this conversation, Nedjip shares the spark that launched d.light, the toughest hurdles they faced, and the financial and leadership innovations that helped them scale globally. A masterclass in entrepreneurship, energy access, and climate impact.
Expect to learn:
🔹 How toxic kerosen lanterns inspired a decade-long global solar campaign
🔹 Why rural trust was harder to build than the product itself
🔹 Why early failures were key to building rugged, low-cost solar products
🔹 How "Pay-Go" solar financing unlocked ownership and scale in Africa
🔹 What it takes to scale across 70+ countries without traditional marketing
You’ll hear how Nedjip moved to China to manage manufacturing himself, and how d.light pioneered a business model that became a blueprint for the solar industry in rural development. If you’ve ever wondered how social impact and innovation collide—this is the episode for you.
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