Azuri Technologies
Electrifying the base of the pyramid through innovative micropayment technology
In Rwanda, 83% of the population currently lives without grid electricity. Availability of off-grid lighting solutions, such as solar PV systems, is limited in many countries in sub Saharan Africa and the upfront costs are beyond the means of many poor households. The pay-as-you-go approach used by Azuri Technologies, which is familiar from mobile phones, offers an affordable way for users to adopt new clean energy. Users are able to avoid the normally large up-front costs of solar systems and instead pay for them over small weekly installments. Customers can charge their mobile phone and have 8 hours of lighting per day for typically US$ 1.50 a week.
Read the full project description: www.usaid.gov/div/portfolio/azuri
Photo credit Azuri Technologies