As evening crept in along the busy Morogoro–Dodoma highway, the roadside markets of Ngiloli and Nguzo Mbili would slowly sink into silence. With the sun slipping away, traders—most of them women—rushed to gather their goods, not because the day was done, but because the darkness gave them no other choice. Without lights to guide them, their stalls closed early, dreams dimmed too soon, and the promise of a better income faded with the last light of day.

But today, a new chapter is unfolding—written in beams of clean, solar-powered light.

Thanks to the installation of solar streetlights under a project supported by the Mott Foundation and implemented by ELICO Foundation, traders in these agro-markets are experiencing a transformation: extended working hours, improved safety, increased income, and greater economic participation, particularly for women.

A Life in the Dark

Before the intervention, life in these markets changed dramatically once darkness fell.
“Women would close their businesses early because of fear. The markets had no light, and walking back home in the dark was dangerous,” recalls Monica Mkamba, a produce vendor at Ngiloli. “We used to hear stories of women getting mugged on their way home, some even had their bags snatched.”

Daimon Mkunda, another vendor at Ngiloli, describes the difficulty of doing business in the dark. “Our products—fruits, tomatoes, vegetables—depend on appearance. At night, customers couldn’t see them clearly, so they didn’t buy. It was frustrating.”

In Nguzo Mbili, where Rebeca Ruben Charles has sold tomatoes and onions for six years, the struggle was similar. “We relied on kerosene lamps or rechargeable torches, but charging a torch cost about TZS 700 per day. That was money coming out of our daily profit,” she explains.

More than a financial burden, the lack of lighting posed life-threatening risks. These markets are positioned along a highway plied by heavy trucks and speeding cars. As Kiomboi Idd, the 50-year-old founder and long-time manager of Nguzo Mbili, recounts, “We lost several people to road accidents here. Drivers couldn’t see clearly in the dark. It was tragic.”

The Light of Change

That narrative began to shift dramatically after the installation of solar streetlights in both markets.

Nassoro Chibali, a night security guard at Ngiloli, says the change is like “night and day”—literally. “Now I can guard the market with peace of mind. I feel safe, and the traders’ goods are secure. I even earn more now because traders entrust me to sell their goods at night after they go home, and they pay me TZS 1,000 per night per seller,” he says with a smile.

But perhaps the most striking impact is on women.

Sarah Samson, a trader in Nguzo Mbili, says the lights have empowered women to reclaim the marketplace at night. “Before, we were fewer than 30 women trading here. Now, we’re about 80 to 100, depending on the harvest season. We feel safer. We can do more,” she says.

The improved security has also reduced reliance on harmful lighting methods such as kerosene lamps, which emit toxic smoke. With better lighting, traders are healthier, and their working environment is more dignified.

Boosting Business and Trust

“Now, even customers have more confidence,” says Daud Julius, who has sold produce at Nguzo Mbili for over a decade. “They can see the quality of what they’re buying. No more guessing in the dark. It builds trust.”

The new lighting has also extended working hours for porters and loaders, especially those who help load fresh produce into long-distance trucks late into the night. Their ability to work longer means more income and more consistent livelihoods.

A Beacon of Hope

What started as a simple need for light has turned into a catalyst for social and economic transformation. These solar lights now stand as quiet guardians—brightening the nights, energizing commerce, and protecting lives.

As Nassoro wisely notes, “These lights are not just bulbs on a pole—they are our security, our income, and our hope.”

Thanks to the Mott Foundation and ELICO Foundation, the glow of progress is now a reality for dozens of traders whose stories were once lost in the shadows. Their markets are no longer just stopovers for passing travelers—they are now vibrant hubs of resilience, opportunity, and community.