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‘Internet Access is Like Oxygen’: Converging Connectivity and Energy Access
Microsoft’s Affordable Access Initiative is providing grants to internet access and related services companies and startups reaching underserved communities in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and North America. In June, the tech giant announced the second year of grantees. Paul Garnett, senior director of the Affordable Access Initiative at Microsoft, explores how internet connectivity can have a ripple effect.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Technology, Telecommunications
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Loans for solar systems make power affordable in rural Kenya
Until recently, Njoroge’s home northwest of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, was poorly lit at night. Most people in Ndabibi are not connected to mains electricity, and rely on kerosene or small solar lamps to light their homes.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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ShelterTech Mexico 2017: Promoting Entrepreneurship and Investment in the Housing Sector
Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with Village Capital, launched ShelterTech Mexico 2017, a three-month accelerator focused on housing sector startups that are increasing access for marginalized communities to basic services in any of three areas: water and sanitation, energy, and innovative construction materials. Melva Flores talks about the two teams selected by their peers to receive an investment of US $50,000 each.
- Categories
- Energy, Social Enterprise
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Shift to biogas helps revive forests
Fuelwood is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions in South Asia and East Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- forests
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Cell Phones Bring Power to Africans Living Off the Grid
Fenix International, a San Francisco startup making solar-power systems for people with no access to electricity grids, is expanding in Africa through a partnership with the continent’s largest wireless carrier.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Human Waste as Sustainable Energy? This High School Student Made It Happen
Despite how gross you may think it is, there are some upsides of human waste that are worth talking about.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- renewable energy, waste
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BBOXX to provide Togo with 300,000 solar home solutions
As part of its Vision 2030 plan, Togo drew up a gameplan focused on providing its population with access to electricity through a renewable-energy mix.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Social Impact Incentives: A New Solution for Blended Finance
In just six years, social enterprise Clínicas del Azúcar has grown into the largest private provider of specialized diabetes care in Mexico, but faces an almost constant challenge to balance its financial and social performance. That's where social impact incentives (SIINC) come into play. A new solution for blended finance, SIINCs align profitability with social impact by paying social enterprises directly for proven social outcomes.
- Categories
- Energy, Health Care, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology
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