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Scaling Impact in the Last Mile Distribution Sector: The Pros and Cons of Different Pathways to Scale
The last mile distribution sector has gained significant momentum. But as Russell Lyseight at the Global Distributors Collective and Emma Colenbrander at Spring Impact point out, there is still a huge discrepancy between the size of the problem (i.e., last mile consumers’ lack of access to beneficial products and services) and the distribution solutions that currently exist. They explore several approaches last mile distributors can use to close this gap.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy
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Comparing Business Models for Scaling Access to Productive Use of Energy Appliances in Agriculture: The Advantages of Pay-Per-Use
Productive Use of Energy (PUE) appliances — including solar refrigerators, water pumps and more — can boost productivity, income and quality of life in vulnerable communities. But as Ankur Singh, Argha Ghose and Clementine Chambon at Oorja explain, challenges like high upfront costs, lack of financing and poor after-sales service hinder their adoption among these consumers. They explore several business and end-user financing models that can support PUE uptake in agriculture, and explain why the pay-per-use model is uniquely suitable for low-income consumers.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Finance, Technology
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Analysis: Unlocking Africa’s $1 Trillion Food Economy: The Role of Global Aid and Sustainable Technology
Global aid with strategic investments can help address systemic barriers to achieving Africa’s $1 trillion food economy by 2030.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Region
- Global
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Under-Leveraged Best Practices for Scaling Productive Use of Energy Appliances: Part 1 — Sales Support and Market Access
Productive Use of Energy (PUE) appliances can increase revenue for low-income populations, mitigate climate change and improve global energy access. But according to Thomas Charoy and Lucie Klarsfeld McGrath at Hystra, uptake of PUE appliances remains slow, due in part to the training, market linkages and after-sales support needed for customers to get the full benefit from these complex products. They explore some common challenges and best practices in selling PUE solutions, focusing on the appliances with the most mature and promising markets: solar water pumps and solar refrigerators.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Technology
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Press Release: Ignite Power Scales Up Distribution Renewable Energy Access in 4 West African Countries Through Acquisition of Oolu
Ignite Power, a leading provider of distributed infrastructure solutions, expanding renewable energy access in Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon through the strategic acquisition of Oolu.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Private Business Alone Can’t Bring Energy to the Last Mile: Why Philanthropy Should Shift its Focus to Scalable Non-Profit Models
Africa is home to countless failed pay-as-you-go energy businesses that couldn't sustain themselves after their grant funding dried up. According to Aneri Pradhan at New Energy Nexus, this highlights the shortcomings of market-led approaches to last-mile energy access across the continent. She argues that philanthropic funding has largely failed to create sustainable energy businesses in these communities, as customers cannot afford clean energy at their current income levels. Instead, she encourages funders to support non-profit models that have proven their ability to reach these communities at scale.
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SEforALL Partners With Clean Energy Developers To Deploy Solar And Battery Storage Systems Across Nigeria
These partnerships will facilitate the deployment of high-capacity solar and battery storage systems to businesses and institutions across the country.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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$12 Million From InfraCo to Develop SunCulture’s Solar Irrigation Offering in Kenya
The 12 million dollars will support the Kenyan company's expansion in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa