Samba Bathily

Samba Bathily is a Malian entrepreneur, philanthropist from Bamako. He is also chief executive officer of “Solektra International” and co-founder of Akon Lighting Africa.

Early life

Samba Bathily was born in Mali on October 23, 1971 to an entrepreneurial family. His father was a rice, textile and oil importer in Mali and later became a Member of Parliament in his region of Nioro Du Sahel. At the age of 9, Samba attended boarding school in Belgium returning to Mali for high school. In 1990 he studied Law at the Catholic University of Leuven (UCL) in Belgium.

Career

In 2014, Samba co-founded Akon Lighting Africa. This was launched with international music star Akon and Thione Niang. The objective of this initiative is to bring awareness around the use of solar solutions to provide villages throughout Africa with access to clean, renewable and reliable electricity. To date, results include a series of solar developments such as the installation of street lamps and domestic and community modern renewable energy solutions in 14 countries throughout Africa.

Also launched in 2014 was Solektra International, a company that specializes in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of solar power systems. Samba is CEO and Co-founder with Akon and Thione Niang. Solektra has a B2G (Business to Government) financing model that offers attractive and affordable repayment terms. Solektra International is the execution arm of Akon Lighting Africa with a goal to use local youths to implement projects while also fast tracking the social and economic development of Africa in cooperation with various international partners. Solektra International currently has a presence in 14 countries - Mali, Senegal, Niger, Benin, Sierra Leone, Burkina-Faso, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, Nigeria, Madagascar, Namibia.

Samba is soon to launch the “Solektra Solar Academy” to provide a pipeline of trained youth where they will develop skills and expertise in the field of solar energy. To be launched late 2015, this professional training institute targets future African entrepreneurs, engineers and technicians and will provide training on aspects of planning, design, construction and the maintenance of solar-powered electric systems and micro-grids.

Philanthropy

Samba is founder and President of “Fondation Volontaires d’Afrique” which aims to develop youth employment in Africa by helping young people through scholarships to launch their projects and become entrepreneurs. In 2014 this organization sponsored 90 students to attend a 3-year program at the Private University of Marrakech (UPM), Morocco. In August 2015, the foundation sponsored 25 African teens from 14 countries to attend the Anthony Robbins Global Youth Leadership Program in San Diego, California allowing the teens to learn strategies, leadership skills and meet youth leaders from around the world.

Samba is on the Board and contributes to the GIVE1PROJECT, a global organization with a mission to engage young people as leaders in creating and building strong and healthy communities. The project operates a network of civic engagement, employment training and educational programs.