How it Works: Digital Finance and Solar Energy
In places where people live off the energy grid but use mobile money, such as small communities in Kenya, companies like Angaza Design are expanding access to energy via pay-as-you-go home solar units. "Pay-as-you-go is really attractive when you're trying to target energy access at the base of the pyramid," says Angaza's Ellie Higham. Purchasing solar lights through mobile money accounts brings many benefits to families, including longer study hours for children, less money spent on inefficient sources of fuel - such as paraffin - and a convenient way of paying for energy access.
Written and Produced by Jeanette Thomas, 2014