Smiling Through Light

A great way to start the week at the Ayrton Forum 2026 during London Climate Action Week, joining colleagues from across government, industry, research and the clean energy sector to discuss how innovation can accelerate energy access and climate action.

A major highlight was the UK Government’s announcement that the Ayrton Fund will be extended to 2030, alongside an additional £88 million investment in the Transforming Energy Access platform. The commitment signals continued UK leadership in supporting clean energy innovation and strengthening international partnerships to deliver sustainable development outcomes.

As Professor Sir John Edmunds, Chief Scientific Advisor at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office noted, the future of development depends on bringing innovation and investment together and creating smarter, more diverse finance flows that move ideas from research into real-world impact.

The focus throughout the forum has been on innovation, scale and accelerating clean energy access. These conversations are critical if we are to achieve universal energy access by 2030.

However, one challenge remains. While localisation is increasingly part of the discussion, more must be done to ensure that funding reaches locally led businesses and enterprises that are closest to the communities being served. These organisations are often the drivers of innovation, job creation, impact and last-mile delivery, yet many still struggle to access capital directly.

If we are serious about solving the clean energy access challenge by 2030, local partnerships must move from the margins to the centre. Scaling impact will require not only more investment, but greater trust in local businesses and stronger partnerships that enable them to lead✨

I look forward to the discussions throughout the week and to seeing how these commitments translate into meaningful impact on the ground.

Read more about today’s announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eyqiMHcY

Great connecting with colleagues working to accelerate innovation in clean energy - Harriet Bradshaw-Smith Emilie Carmichael Susie Wheeldon Karl Boyce Steven Hunt Josephine Gauld Rachel Kyte Samson Sahmland-Bowling John Keane

Thank you to the team Ayrton Fund for such a great forum full of partnerships and great collaboration ✨

Looking forward to the next stage😊

“Capital can accelerate growth, but strong foundations are what sustain it.” - Mariama Kamara

Reflecting on the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference 2026, I would like to congratulate Vickie Remoe and the VR&C Marketing Company team for delivering a well-organised event that brought together an impressive mix of government representatives, private sector leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and members of the diaspora community✨

The quality of the discussions, speakers and networking opportunities demonstrated the growing appetite to move beyond conversations and towards practical action that can support Sierra Leone’s economic growth and development.

I was honoured to speak on the panel, “How We Built It: Diaspora Entrepreneurs’ Recipes for Success,” where I shared the journey of building Smiling Through Light. I spoke openly about the realities of entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone, our incredible team, the customers, communities we serve and the innovation that drives our work in expanding clean energy access✨

One of the key messages I shared was that sustainable growth is rarely built on passion alone. It requires consistency, strong systems, effective processes, accountability and above all, a clear sense of purpose. These are the foundations that enable organisations to grow, adapt and create lasting impact.

I was particularly interested in the discussions around the potential development of a Sierra Leone Diaspora Bond. The concept presents an exciting opportunity to mobilise diaspora capital for national development. However, for such an initiative to succeed, it will require robust governance, transparency, accountability and well-structured investment mechanisms that inspire confidence and trust among investors.

I was also encouraged by the strong representation from the private sector, particularly Vista Bank and Ecobank, who showcased a range of products and services designed to support women-led businesses and SMEs. Access to finance remains one of the greatest challenges facing entrepreneurs, and initiatives such as these have the potential to help businesses grow, scale and create jobs.

At the same time, access to finance must be matched by business readiness. Entrepreneurs also have a responsibility to formalise their businesses, strengthen governance, maintain proper financial records and build the systems and processes that make them investment-ready. Capital can accelerate growth, but strong foundations are what sustain it✨

As Sierra Leone continues to pursue investment-led growth, the role of government in creating an enabling ecosystem cannot be overstated. Strong institutions, clear policies, efficient systems and transparent processes are essential to ensuring that investment initiatives are effective, sustainable and capable of delivering long-term impact.

Throughout the conference, the issue of trust emerged as a recurring theme in discussions with members of the diaspora community. Trust is fundamental to investment. With the right structures, governance mechanisms, and accountability frameworks in place, I believe there is tremendous potential to strengthen diaspora engagement and unlock new opportunities for investment and collaboration.

Beyond investment, conferences like this are also important because they help to change the narrative about Sierra Leone. Too often, conversations about our country focus only on challenges. What I witnessed throughout the conference were examples of innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and ambition. We need to continue amplifying these stories and celebrating the businesses, entrepreneurs, and institutions that are driving progress.

Changing perceptions is not about ignoring challenges; it is about ensuring that success stories are equally visible. As someone who has always been passionate about promoting a positive narrative for Sierra Leone, I believe these platforms play an important role in showcasing what is possible when local talent, diaspora engagement, private sector leadership, and investment come together.

The conference reinforced my belief that Sierra Leone does not lack talent, ambition, or opportunity. What is needed is stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, entrepreneurs, investors and the diaspora to create the conditions for sustainable growth.

Thank you again to the VR&C Marketing team for bringing everyone together and creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and partnership✨

Thank You Mohamed Ishmael Fofanah😊

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Today, I have the privilege of speaking at the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference 2026 in London on the panel:

“How We Built It: Diaspora Entrepreneurs’ Recipes for Success.”

As Founder & Director of Smiling Through Light , I’ll be sharing lessons from our journey expanding clean energy access and building a women-led, locally driven enterprise focused on creating opportunities across Sierra Leone.

When people talk about entrepreneurship, they often focus on funding, growth, and success stories. But building a sustainable enterprise in Sierra Leone has taught me some different lessons:

✨Start with the problem, not the product.

✨Trust is just as important as strategy.

✨Impact and sustainability must go hand in hand.

✨Systems matter. Passion starts an organisation, but processes help it grow.

✨Clean energy is not just about electricity; it is about education, livelihoods, productivity and opportunity.

Perhaps the biggest lesson of all is that Sierra Leone’s future will not be built by aid alone. It will be built by entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and diaspora communities working together to create long-term value.

Through Smiling Through Light, I have seen firsthand what becomes possible when local leadership, innovation and purpose come together. I have also seen how powerful it is when we choose to tell a different story about Sierra Leone, one that focuses on resilience, solutions, entrepreneurship, success and sustainability.

I’m looking forward to sharing our journey, learning from fellow entrepreneurs, and exploring how diaspora investment can become a catalyst for sustainable growth and opportunity across Sierra Leone.

Thank You to the VR&C Marketing for all the work✨

"In 2011, Smiling Through Light was just an idea scribbled on paper. Today, it's impacting lives across communities through clean energy, women's empowerment and the power of partnership." ✨ ✨ ✨

An idea born from a simple belief: that access to opportunity should not depend on where someone is born, whether they are a woman or whether they have access to reliable energy.

Back then, I couldn't have predicted the journey ahead. There were moments of uncertainty, challenges that seemed impossible to overcome and many times when the vision felt much bigger than the resources available. But I held on to one thing: the belief that meaningful change begins when someone dares to imagine a different future.

Fifteen years later, I find myself reflecting on how far we've come.

Today, Smiling Through Light is working with communities, empowering women, expanding access to clean energy and creating opportunities that help people build brighter futures for themselves and their families. What I've learned along the way is that no founder builds impact alone.

Behind every successful project are people and organisations willing to believe in your vision before the results exist. Partners who choose to invest not only in programmes, but in possibility. That is why I am grateful for the support of EA Foundation, Rogeap PFM, ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), AFFORD UK, Norton Rose Fulbright, Whole Foods Market Foundation, Global Distributors Collective (GDC)

Their support has helped transform ideas into action and action into measurable impact. When I think about funding, I think about the woman starting a business because she now has access to energy, I think about communities becoming more resilient and I think about young people seeing opportunities where barriers once existed.

That is the true value of investment.

As founders, we often focus on where we still need to go. Today, I'm taking a moment to appreciate how far we've come and to thank those who have walked alongside us on this journey.

The vision that started in 2011 remains the same. To create lasting change, empower communities and ensure that access to sustainable energy becomes a pathway to opportunity for all.

Countdown to London Climate Action Week…looking forward to attending the Ayrton Forum 2026✨

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The countdown to London Climate Action Week is on, and with that comes the Ayrton Forum 2026: where UK-international partnerships, people and ideas drive the clean energy transition 🌍

As the week brings global leaders to the UK, the Ayrton Forum (22 June 2026) stands out as a flagship moment. This UK Government event brings together senior decision-makers from policy, finance, innovation and delivery, highlighting UK–international collaboration and accelerating impact at scale.

Expect to hear discussions on:
✅ Scalable solutions already delivering impact
✅ The investment opportunity in clean, reliable energy markets
✅ How partnerships drive green industrialisation and localisation
✅ The people and ideas turning innovation into reality

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Today, I found myself reflecting on why our work at Smiling Through Light matters so deeply.

It's easy to focus on projects, targets, reports and milestones. But behind every solar panel installed, every clean energy solution delivered and every community we reach, there are real people whose lives are changing.

I think about the women who no longer have to choose between safety and darkness. The entrepreneurs who can keep their businesses open after sunset. The children who can study at night. The families gaining access to opportunities that reliable energy makes possible ✨

Energy is more than electricity.
✨ It is dignity.
✨ It is opportunity.
✨ It is empowerment.
✨ It is hope.

As Founder & Director of Smiling Through Light, I am constantly reminded that our mission extends far beyond technology. We are helping to create pathways for women to thrive, supporting communities to build resilience and ensuring that clean energy reaches those who need it most.

The transition to sustainable energy is often discussed in terms of infrastructure and climate goals. While those conversations are important, the human impact is what inspires me every day.

✨ Every light switched on represents possibility.
✨ Every community empowered represents progress.
✨ Every woman given access to resources and opportunities represents a future transformed.

This is why we do what we do.

And this is why we will continue working tirelessly to ensure that clean, sustainable energy becomes a catalyst for lasting social and economic change.

The work continues, and so does the impact.

Thank you to all our funders, board members and community for all your support 😊

I am honoured to have been invited as a speaker at the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference 2026, taking place on 19–20 June 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London.

This year's theme, “From Capital to Catalyst: Mobilizing Diaspora Finance to Power Sierra Leone’s Industries,” could not be more relevant. As a Sierra Leonean Founder and Director, I have always believed that our greatest opportunity lies not only in attracting investment, but in changing the narrative about what is possible in Sierra Leone.

For me, this invitation is deeply connected to the work we do at Smiling Through Light. Every day, we work to expand clean energy access, demonstrating how locally led and women-led enterprises can create sustainable solutions, generate economic opportunities and improve lives across communities. Our journey is proof that Sierra Leone is a place of innovation, resilience and entrepreneurship.

Too often, conversations about Sierra Leone focus on challenges rather than opportunities. My work has always been driven by a commitment to highlight positive stories, showcase local talent and demonstrate that Sierra Leoneans are building successful businesses capable of delivering meaningful social and economic impact.

I look forward to joining fellow entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and members of the diaspora to discuss how strategic investment can unlock growth, strengthen industries and create lasting opportunities for future generations.

I am particularly excited to share the Smiling Through Light's story as an example of what can be achieved when local leadership, community impact, and innovation come together with the right support and investment.

Registration is now open for delegates, vendors, entrepreneurs, and investors at https://lnkd.in/e-udKhAA

I look forward to seeing many of you in London as we work together to shape a stronger, more prosperous future for Sierra Leone.

Thank you to the VR&C Marketing Company team for the invitation and putting event together✨

Looking forward to this speaking engagement ✨

Thank you to the VR&C Marketing Company team for the invitation 😊

We are excited to announce that Mariama Kamara, CEO of Smiling Through Light, will be joining SLDIC 2026 London as a panellist.

With experts and leaders across industries sharing their experiences and insights, SLDIC continues to be the place where meaningful connections and practical opportunities begin.

Join us in London this June!

📍Intercontinental Hotel Park Lane
📆 June 19th - 20th, 2026
🔗 Register Here: https://makesierraleonefamous.com/pricing-plans/