NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Access to electricity can be transformational, but only if people also have access to the appliances and technologies needed for its use. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 1 in 3 households has a television, 1 in 6 has a refrigerator, and 1 in 9 owns a computer. Increasing ownership of electrical appliances can turn energy access into development impact by reducing drudgery, saving time, and unlocking greater economic potential. But high-quality appliances are unaffordable for many people, particularly those who do not have access to consumer finance. Enabling consumer financing that drives appliance ownership and higher levels of electricity demand is part of a larger shift that utilities can make toward a customer-centric, service-based approach. A new paper from CGAP and CLASP, “Electric Bankers: Utility-Enabled Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa” (2020), explores how energy providers can close the credit gap and provide value for their customers.

Time: 9 AM – 10 AM EDT