AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS GO SOLAR

Africa's new breed of solar energy entrepreneurs

Tom Jackson, 26 January 2015 (BBC News)

"African economies may be booming, but continued growth and quality of life are being jeopardised by lack of power…[An estimated] 585 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity, with the electrification rate as low as 14.2% in rural areas…[O]nly 23% of Kenyans; 10.8% of Rwandans; and 14.8% of Tanzanians have access to an electricity supply…[A] new breed of ‘solar-preneurs’ is emerging, increasing access to power and generating revenues at the same time…[M-Kopa Solar] provides ‘pay-as-you-go’ renewable energy for off-grid households in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania…Off-grid households in East Africa, which also are largely low-income households, spend about $0.50-$0.60 (33p-40p) per day on kerosene lighting and basic charging costs…M-Kopa Solar provides power to more than 140,000 households in East Africa for $0.45 per day, and is adding over 4,000 homes each week…[Its] revenues are nearing $20m per year…[Juabar] builds and operates a network of solar charging kiosks in Tanzania which it leases to entrepreneurs, who then offer electricity services to their communities…[and earn] profits of between $75 and $150 per month…” click here for more

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