KEY FACTS Nithio’s financing platform uses AI to understand consumer credit risk for households in Africa, unlocking scalable investment in the off-grid solar sector and beyond. Its model also enables “precision financing” to match commercial sources of capital to the customers with high ability to pay and direct grant support to where it is needed…
How can the direct impacts of biogas support the achievement of the SDGs? How does this impact vary between different market segments? A new report – commissioned by Shell Foundation with co-funding from the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office – analyses the contribution of biogas towards SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)…
VentureBuilder has produced two learning papers outlining how they have continued to build an investment pipeline of locally owned and managed African off-grid operators, by refining its sourcing model and build operator resilience by adapting its business support offerings. Shell Foundation has supported VentureBuilder (VB) since 2019 with co-funding from USAID and…
As the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic continues to unfold, rural households are among those most impacted. This learning brief — commissioned by SF with co-funding from the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office and the Mastercard Foundation Rural and Agricultural Finance Learning Lab (RAFLL) — examines actual impacts of Covid-19 on rural households in…
Key Facts Charging hubs built in over 78 locations 156 female hub attendants run the hubs Increased the rate of customer adoption by 500% per location Jaza charges and rents solar batteries from a network of last-mile retail hubs. The batteries can be used in off-grid homes to power lights, mobile phones and small appliances.…
KEY FACTS Invests in enterprises with local ownership and management in Africa Targeting rural off-grid customers Seeking a business model owning customer relations and distribution channels, with an eye towards scaling consumer financing capacity (e.g., PAYG) VentureBuilder partners with local entrepreneurs in Africa, providing early-stage equity financing and enterprise development services to help launch and…
In August 2019 we promoted early pilot findings on the launch of HelloSolar, a new enterprise established with co-funding with the UK government and USAID that sought to integrate a new Pay-As-You-Go solar business with an existing mobile money operator in Ethiopia. Early positive business results and high satisfaction levels among new customers saw us…
In early 2019, we supported Greenlight Planet (GLP), with co-funding from the UK government, to seek a sustainable partnership model with commercial financial institutions to provide financing for modern energy solutions for women in Nigeria. If successful, this model would have far-reaching positive implications on both energy access and financial inclusion throughout the continent. Scalable…
Household energy remains an unquestionable basic need, and the ability to provide a reliable, affordable service is being tested by the current Covid-19 crisis. Bboxx is an established solar provider that designs, manufactures, distributes, and finances solar energy systems to provide solar electricity to communities, cities and countries around the world. Shell Foundation, with co-funding…
Three Shell Foundation partners have pledged their support to a Covid-19 relief initiative across Kenya. The mission-driven alliance, ‘Safe Hands Kenya’ has mobilised the collaboration of tech firms, input suppliers, manufactures, behaviour change experts and distribution specialists, to ensure that every Kenyan has access to vital health products, including hand sanitiser, soap, face masks and surface…