Nilmi Senaratna
About Nilmi Senaratna
Nilmi Senaratna is the co-founder and strategic board advisor of Oolu, a company addressing energy poverty in West Africa with PAYG solar products.
Title - Co-Founder and Strategic Board Advisor
Nilmi Senaratna serves as the Co-Founder and Strategic Board Advisor at Oolu. She has played an integral role in shaping the direction and growth of the company. Her leadership has been pivotal in establishing Oolu as a market leader in the solar energy sector across several West African countries.
Inspiration Behind Founding Oolu
Nilmi Senaratna was inspired to co-found Oolu after living and working in a rural region of Senegal in 2012. The experience of witnessing energy poverty's impact, especially on children who studied by torchlight or candlelight, motivated her to find a sustainable solution. This inspiration led to the creation of Oolu in 2014 alongside Daniel Rosa.
Oolu's Early Stages and Market Entry
In November 2014, Nilmi Senaratna and Daniel Rosa took a significant step by collecting initial capital to complete the proof of concept stage of their product. They lived in a village in Senegal for six months to better understand customer needs. Their dedication paid off, and Oolu was selected to participate in the Y Combinator startup accelerator program in Silicon Valley in 2015, where they successfully raised funds from investors. They completed their first pilot project in 2015, and officially launched Oolu in West Africa.
Pioneering PAYG Solar Products in West Africa
Oolu was one of the first companies to successfully distribute Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) solar products in West Africa. Under Nilmi Senaratna's guidance, Oolu has grown from a startup to a market leader, operating in countries such as Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon. This milestone has been essential in expanding access to sustainable energy solutions in the region.
Advocacy for Policy Change in the West African Energy Sector
Nilmi Senaratna pioneered the movement for policy change in the West African energy sector. Her efforts have been directed towards promoting innovative energy solutions and financial inclusion. Under her advocacy, Oolu has pushed for policy reforms that favor sustainable energy and make it accessible to a broader population in the region.