BioLite

The challenge

Across low-income regions, millions of people still cook over smoky open fires and light their homes with kerosene lamps—putting their health, safety, and livelihoods at risk. Energy poverty limits education, income, and climate resilience. Traditional utilities have left these communities behind, and the power grid isn’t arriving anytime soon.

The innovation

BioLite designs and delivers renewable energy products tailored for off-grid households. Its portfolio includes clean cookstoves, solar lighting kits, home systems, and power banks—all engineered for durability, affordability, and ease of use. BioLite operates through last-mile distribution networks across more than 20 countries and pairs product innovation with training, financing, and partnerships to extend access to households and small businesses beyond the grid.

The impact

BioLite has reached more than 14 million people across Africa and Asia, generated nearly 25,000 MWh of clean electricity, and offset over 2 million tons of CO₂. Its products help families save time and money, reduce health risks, and unlock economic opportunity. As part of Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach initiative, BioLite also BioLite also provides financing to local energy distributors in underserved markets—accelerating the spread of clean, off-grid power where it’s needed most.