A QUICK WORD

About Us

Who we are and why we exist.

60 Million

57% of the Ethiopian population is without access to electricity, making Ethiopia the 3rd largest market in the world.

THE SITUATION & THE MISSION

Accelerating access to smart and sustainable energy solutions for the most remote communities is a major leap forward in developing an inclusive and sustainable world.

HelloSolar International is a decentralized off-grid solar energy solutions provider committed to improving the quality of life of rural communities in Ethiopia by facilitating access to sustainable energy and connectivity through affordable PAY-as-you-go solar systems.

HS was founded on the belief that accelerating access to smart and renewable energy solutions is a major leap forward in developing an inclusive and sustainable world. Over the past 40 years, the cost of solar panel materials has dropped 250x as a result of innovations in materials science. The price of will further plummet while efficiency and accessibility will dramatically improve.

The VISION & VALUE PROPOSITION

Affordable, accessible, and efficient energy.

HelloSolar´s vision is to facilitate clean and smart solar energy access for the rural populations of Ethiopia by tackling two main restrictions to the penetration of solar energy in rural Ethiopia: high upfront costs and limited last mile distribution.

The value proposition of HelloSolar rests on 3 pillars: the provision of quality and modern technology, a strong aftersales and technical support network, and an affordable and flexible repayment plan.

HelloSolar works closely with governments and private stakeholders to create an ecosystem that provides access to education, market and economic opportunities through energy access. This will further improve the quality of life of the rural population and speed up the eradication of poverty.

OUR TEAM

Management

Bart Minsaer

CEO

Bart has more than 19 years of experience in ICT working and living across Europe, Africa and Asia. He was responsible for commercial launches for Orange in several countries as Deputy Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Ethio Telecom (Ethiopia), Sales Strategy consultant and PMO Franchise & iPhone launch (Orange Armenia), Sales & Marketing Transformation consultant (Orange Kenya). He also holds a Masters in Business Administration from INSEAD. In his last role as Chief Commercial Officer of BelCash, he was focused on Mobile Money and agent banking in Ethiopia.

Osman Ibrahim

General Manager
HelloSolar, Ethiopia

Osman, is a graduate of public Administration and Development management with a BA degree from university of Alpha University College. He has been working in BelCash for the last five years building his experience in Mobile banking, Mobile payments, Accounts Management, call centers, Capacity Building. Osman also led the successful implementation of HelloCash mobile payment in Ethiopian Somali region.Osman is the current General Manager of HelloSolar Ethiopia.

Elias Tesfaye

Chief Operations Officer

Elias is a seasoned professional with a decade of experience at Phantomalert in Washington, DC, where he served as VP of Operations. His role involved establishing e-commerce platforms for major companies like Amazon, eBay, FedEx, and UPS. Elias also pioneered GPS-based applications for Android and iOS platforms, focusing on point-of-interest functionalities.

In recent years, Elias has been the Managing Director of an Agro-Industry firm in Ethiopia. His expertise in logistics, distribution, and operations has contributed to the firm's success. Additionally, Elias has provided consulting services to various tech companies in Addis Ababa.

With a strong track record and a deep understanding of technology and operations, Elias is a valuable asset to any organization.

Wilhelmina Diop

Fundraising Director

Wilhelmina is a passionate solar energy professional with extensive experience in the private sector in Western and Eastern Africa. Wilhelmina also has experience in the public sector, working at the Senegalese Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. She keeps a strong focus on promoting gender equity in the solar energy sector. She is one of the founding managers and also handles social impact monitoring and customer experience strategy at HelloSolar. She holds a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and Management from Albert Ludwigs Freiburg University, in Germany.