Africa Sustainability Matters and Ambi Light Up have today formed a partnership focused on elevating rural innovation and advancing inclusive sustainability leadership across Africa. The partnership will see the two organisations team up to share data, tools and insights on the nexus of rural innovation and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues across Africa.
Speaking during the partnership signing ceremony at ASM headquarters in Nairobi, Solomon Irungu, the Chief Editor has said that the alliance is rooted in shared values and urgency for action in sustainability information proliferation. “This is more than a partnership it’s a repositioning of the sustainability narrative to make it more desirable for absorption.” He spoke. “We are shining a light on everyday people doing extraordinary things to make the world better for future generations, and we are showing the world that rural Africa is not waiting to be saved; it is already leading the way in its own right.”
At the heart of this partnership lies a clear and compelling mission to center rural voices and showcase the bold ideas transforming communities from the inside out. While much of the global discourse on sustainability remains urban-centric or top-down, Ambi Light Up and ASM are turning the spotlight toward Africa’s rural regions, not as sites of deficiency, but as frontiers of ingenuity, resilience, and leadership.
“True rural development is on systems—when local economies are unlocked through market linkages, and knowledge flows freely through human exchange, communities grow not just crops, but confidence,” Angeline Nambi, Ambi Light Up Executive Director said.
The collaboration seeks to dismantle narrow perceptions that paint rural communities solely through the lens of poverty, backwardness, or need. It aims to highlight community-driven innovations, whether it’s clean energy solutions in remote areas, climate-smart agricultural techniques, or local initiatives addressing education, health, and resource management.
A unique aspect of this partnership is its deliberate focus on inclusive leadership. Ambi Light Up and ASM have committed to highlighting the contributions of underrepresented groups, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities, whose leadership in rural development often goes unnoticed. By illuminating these voices, the collaboration will help to redefine who gets seen as a sustainability leader and whose contributions matter in shaping Africa’s future.
To deepen impact, the two organizations will jointly participate in major sustainability platforms, including the upcoming Exchange and Visits Programme Launch, scheduled for 25th July 2025, and The Growing African Rurals (GAR) Summit 2025, set to take place on 20th-21st October 2025 at Karen. The summit is expected to convene policymakers, funders, development partners, and community leaders from around the world, and Ambi Light Up and ASM plan to ensure rural innovators are not just in the room, but at the center of the conversation.
The partnership will also co-host select summit sessions focused on real-world innovations from the field, creating space for community representatives to share their experiences, lessons, and aspirations. This will be complemented by calls for more inclusive policy frameworks and resource allocation that prioritize rural realities and local knowledge systems.
What’s happening in a small village in Northern Uganda or Western Kenya might just hold answers for global problems like food insecurity or energy poverty. But first, those stories need to be heard.
While visibility is a key goal, both Ambi Light Up and ASM are aligned in ensuring the partnership results in concrete action. They intend to leverage their networks to mobilize collaboration around rural solutions.
“Rural transformation is not a fringe issue—it’s a frontline issue,” emphasized Solomon. “You cannot talk about sustainable development in Africa without addressing the needs, strengths, and leadership of rural communities.”
At a time when the world is confronting deepening climate risks, widening inequality, and fast-changing economies, rural Africa is often left out of critical conversations, despite holding a significant share of the population and natural resources. Ambi Light Up and ASM are challenging the status quo, demonstrating that rural communities are not just part of the sustainability equation; they are vital to solving it.
“Transformation often starts with a handshake in a village. Exchange is not just movement; it’s mutual witnessing. A farmer learning from a fisher, a youth seeing herself in someone else’s journey.” said the Exchange and Visits Programme Manager-Malenge Diana.
“Real transformation begins when those closest to the challenges become architects of the solutions. Funding local ecosystems means nurturing ideas that combine tradition with innovation. It’s about trusting communities to lead, and honoring their stories”
About Africa Sustainability Matters (ASM)
Africa Sustainability Matters is a sustainability-focused advisory and media firm that specializes in storytelling, strategic communications, and capacity building. We produce news, insights and thought leadership pieces to tell the African sustainability story in a language that is readily conceivable and ready for absorption. Visit ASM on www.africasustainabilitymatters.com
About Ambi Light Up
Ambi Light Up is a social enterprise at the intersection of sustainable energy access and community transformation. The organization empowers rural communities by delivering clean energy technologies and fostering local innovation that drives social and economic progress. More about the organization is available on their website: https://www.ambilightup.com/
Media Contact:
Angeline Nambi – angeline@ambilightup.com
Executive Director- Ambi Light-Up
Lisa Matata– lisa.matata@impactingafrica.com
Digital Marketing Associate– Africa Sustainability Matters
