The story of how Jeremiah Thoronka, a young man who grew up in poverty with his mother during Sierra Leone’s civil war, developed a practical clean energy solution for his country is a brilliant one. It is literally power by and for the people, and it has so much potential to change Sierra Leone’s longstanding energy poverty that it almost seems like magic.

“I have first-hand experience of growing up without energy or electricity,” he told the BBC. “Around 18:00, the entire neighbourhood would be in darkness.” More than 89% of the population is without electricity or gas, relying only on firewood or charcoal for light and heat.