From Selling Tomatoes to Global Stardom: Ayra Starr on Energy Poverty, Resilience, and Africa’s Future

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has captivated millions with her music, but behind the chart-topping hits lies a childhood defined by scarcity—and resilience. In a candid conversation at the Global Citizen NOW event in New York City, the singer opened up about growing up without stable electricity in Nigeria, revealing how her grandmother’s tomato-selling business was a daily race against spoilage because there was no power to preserve the produce.

“My grandma used to sell tomatoes and pepper; we had to sell it quick because we didn’t have electricity to store them,” Ayra Starr recalled during her discussion with CNN’s Zain Asher. “I had to find ways to do what I had to do.”

This personal anecdote is not just a nostalgic memory—it is a stark illustration of a crisis that affects over 600 million people across sub-Saharan Africa, according to the International Energy Agency. In Nigeria alone, the world’s most populous black nation, an estimated 92 million people lack access to electricity, and those who are connected face an average of eight to twelve hours of power outages daily. For families like Ayra Starr’s, this means lost income, spoiled food, and limited opportunities for education and comfort.

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The Hidden Cost of Energy Poverty on Childhood Development

Ayra Starr emphasized that the absence of electricity was not merely an inconvenience—it fundamentally shaped her childhood and her drive. “Growing up, having electricity would’ve made a big difference,” she said. “If I came back from school and I was able to have AC or even a fan in the heat and do my assignments, that would have made a big difference.”

This statement underscores a critical but often overlooked dimension of energy poverty: its impact on cognitive development and educational outcomes. Research from the World Bank shows that children in households without electricity spend 30% less time studying after dark compared to their connected peers. In tropical climates like Nigeria’s, where temperatures regularly exceed 35°C (95°F), the lack of cooling also affects concentration, sleep quality, and overall health.

“Every Nigerian child has faced some type of electricity issues or not having to depend on electricity to do a lot of things,” Ayra Starr noted, highlighting a shared national experience that transcends class and geography. From kerosene lamps to noisy generators, millions of families have developed coping mechanisms—but these come at a cost. The World Health Organization estimates that household air pollution from kerosene lamps and generators causes over 600,000 premature deaths annually in Africa.

Resilience Forged in Adversity

Rather than dwelling on hardship, Ayra Starr framed her experience as a crucible for character. “The experience for me definitely made me who I am today because I’ve had to find ways to do things. I had to do without the comfort of electricity and all of that,” she stated.

This resilience is a common thread among many successful Africans who grew up in energy-poor environments. For example, William Kamkwamba, the Malawian inventor whose story inspired the film The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, built a wind turbine from scrap materials to power his family’s home. Similarly, Nigerian tech entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji has often credited the discipline learned during frequent power outages as a driver of his problem-solving mindset.

Ayra Starr’s journey from selling tomatoes to performing on global stages is a testament to this same spirit. Yet she is quick to point out that resilience should not be a substitute for systemic change. “We are a lot of young people in Africa. They are very eager to work and change the continent for the better,” she said, calling for investment in sustainable energy solutions.

A Wake-Up Call for Global Energy Equity

Before participating in the Global Citizen NOW panel, Ayra Starr admitted she had limited knowledge of global energy solutions. “Before this, I didn’t really know much about global energy solutions, I’m not going to lie. But I’m learning so much and it’s so inspiring,” she shared.

Her honesty reflects a broader gap: energy poverty is often invisible to those who have never experienced it. Yet the solutions are within reach. Off-grid solar systems, for instance, have dropped in price by over 80% in the last decade, making them increasingly accessible. Countries like Kenya and Rwanda have made significant strides through public-private partnerships, bringing electricity to millions of rural households. Nigeria itself has launched the Solar Power Naija program, aiming to connect 5 million off-grid households by 2025.

But as Ayra Starr’s story reminds us, the human cost of delay is measured not just in economic terms, but in lost potential—the child who cannot study, the grandmother who must sell her tomatoes before they rot, the young artist who dreams of a world beyond her village.

Practical Takeaways: What Can Be Done?

For readers inspired by Ayra Starr’s story, here are actionable ways to contribute to energy equity:

• Support organizations like Solar Sister or Energy for Impact that distribute clean energy solutions to rural African communities.
• Advocate for policy change by contacting representatives to support international development funding for renewable energy in low-income countries.
• Educate yourself and others about the link between energy access and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy).
• Invest in ethical companies that prioritize sustainable energy projects in emerging markets.

Ayra Starr’s story is not just one of personal triumph—it is a call to action. As she put it, “We are a lot of young people in Africa. They are very eager to work and change the continent for the better.” With the right infrastructure and investment, that eagerness can transform not just individual lives, but entire nations.

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