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Viewpoint: Much Hangs on Mobile Money in East Africa
From his shack in Kangemi, a slum at the western edge of Nairobi, Gilbert Onduko sells bare essentials to his neighbours. A blackboard above the hatch lists prices for ugali(maize cooked into a sort of porridge), farina (similar to semolina) and cooking oil. On the roof of the shack is a small solar panel, about the size of a tea tray, which powers two lights inside and a mobile phone. Since he got it, about a month before your correspondent visited, Mr Onduko has been able to keep his shop open until midnight rather than just in the daytime. He has also cut down his kerosene bill by 100 shillings (about $1) a day—a hefty saving in a Nairobi slum. “And now my phone is always charged,” he grins.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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India Expects First Loan From China’s Infrastructure Bank
The bank is China’s latest thrust into international diplomacy.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- renewable energy, solar
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India’s big move into solar is already paying off
The price of solar power has plummeted in recent months to levels rivaling that of coal, positioning the renewable source as a viable mainstream option in a country where 300 million people live without electricity. Solar prices are now within 15% of coal, according to KPMG. If current trends hold, the consultancy predicts electricity from solar will actually be 10% cheaper than domestic coal by 2020.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- solar
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The Developing World Faces a Silent Killer. Could a $1 Solar Light Help?
Every day at around 6pm, 40 families living in a remote corner of Andhra Pradesh in southeast India – a 6km walk from the nearest road – would be swallowed by darkness. With no access to electricity, sunset was a non-negotiable curfew – going outside was dangerous, people couldn’t cook and children were unable to do their homework.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- South Asia
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OPIC and Greenlight Planet Partner to Expand Off-Grid Energy Access in the Developing World
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. government’s development finance institution, signed an agreement withGreenlight Planet to finalize $5 million in OPIC financing to support the scaling up of Greenlight Planet, Inc, a provider of affordable off-grid solar energy systems to homes and businesses across the developing world. Greenlight Planet’s global development starts with a passion for delivering clean, affordable energy to underserved communities, paired with a sustainable business and distribution strategy. Today, they impact 15 million users across 40+ countries.
- Categories
- Energy
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Bill Gates’s Clean-Energy Moon Shot
It’s hard to think of a tougher challenge than accelerating humanity’s transition to nonpolluting energy sources and limiting global warming, especially in a world with abundant fossil fuels and fast-growing energy needs.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
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Samsung to Launch Pasha Centre-Like Digital Villages In Kenya, Others
Samsung said that it will be launching Pasha Centers-Like Digital Villages in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania this year that will focus on the challenges in undeserved and rural communities, provide people in this areas with access to ICT so they can learn about and utilize educational and health solutions, reports Footprint to Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- solar
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Could Solar-Powered Drones Deliver Electricity to the Developing World?
Distributed energy systems are a good idea for homes that aren't hooked up to the grid. But distributing solar panels to remote areas in the developing world is hard. That's why Mobisol, a German installer, is testing whether drones could do some of the heavy lifting.
- Categories
- Energy
- Tags
- renewable energy, solar
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