M-KOPA Labs

We would like to extend a warm thank you to our partners @Solar_Sister @PowerAfricaUS @UNCDFCleanStart @Energia_org @CLASPappliances. Follow them to learn more about the work they're doing to advance #EnergyAccess, #GenderEquality & disability inclusion. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

@UNCDFCleanStart We absolutely agree! Through PAYG, we have issued 1M loans for initial SHS and subsequent upgrade purchases. And through SOLAPESA, our PAYG cash loans, 55,000 customers have attained a $50-70 loan to support household and business needs.

Thank you @EforA_Coalition for leading this discussion and to the fellow participants for sharing. Inclusive design and delivery remain critical and strong collaboration is key to unlock #energyaccess for many communities so keep in touch! #GenderEquality #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A6(3/3): Understanding secondary limitations: culture, household dynamics and more improves the final product and enables its users & communities to live better #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A6(2/3): Listening to the customer's voice is paramount. Their lives are complex and needs are cyclical, which affects their #EnergyAccess decisions. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A6(1/3): Again, @EforA_Coalition hit the nail on the head with the primary limitations. However, companies should not skimp out on any processes to reduce cost; inclusion paves the path for a solution. Engage prospective users early and often #InclusiveAppliancesChat

@CLASPappliances @EforA_Coalition @60_decibels Absolutely - a must-read report on the impact of solar TVs!

A2(2/3): Info appliances (radio, TV and smartphone) are key tools to educate and share knowledge with customers and amongst their hard-to-reach communities, especially in times of crisis. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A5(2/2): Our PAYG TV increases access to information and social connection. And our new PAYG smartphone increases access to a myriad of digital services. It is also proving to be a powerful business tool, allowing social networking for enterprise. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A5(1/2): Good news is, solutions exist. Our PAYG fridge developed with @ShellFoundation and @Embraco enables safe medicine and food storage, reducing the burden for difficult journeys to purchase those items. What's needed is support to build awareness! #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A4(3/3): Grant-makers like @EforA_Coalition can play a catalytic role in accelerating #energyacess by supporting R&D that drives efficiency and affordability gains. The PAYG sector is nascent, and much R&D is needed to reach millions more w/ clean energy #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A4(2/3): 45% of our salesforce is female, during our market research many of them shared intimate experiences (personal and communal), which will influence our criteria when selecting cookstoves within certain target customer segments #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A4(1/3): The amount of people in smoke filled kitchens astounds us! We agree with @EforA_Coalition, Product Market Fit is key to debunk myths and encourage cultural change. Our research employed human centered design tools with local women across Kenya #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A3 (3/3): For example, 70K low-income customers now own PAYG solar made affordable through circular economy principles. Check out our latest impact report for more! m-kopa.com/wp-content/upl… #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A3 (2/3): Our inclusive design approach starts with capturing the customer voice through human-centered design with a strong gender lens. We integrate this approach in each product lifecycle - ensuring no one is left behind from start to finish. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A3 (1/3): We design products for people -- particularly for those that are underserved and vulnerable. Our products provide financial inclusion, access to information, income generation activities, and safe and efficient energy solutions. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A2(3/3): With knowledge as power and energy as a shield, households are resilient and wealthier. That's why Labs is exploring, with @DFID_UK, bundling PAYG SHS and smartphones for women-led enterprises to increase their earnings and business management #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A2(1/3): We know access to information is a key driver of #energyaccess and empowers those most vulnerable to economic and health shocks. The rapid spread of coronavirus brings this need for information and energy access to the forefront #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A1(3/3): Women are central to our effort to modernise the kitchen with solar fridges and clean cookstoves. We have sold >1,000 fridges and >17,000 @BurnMfg Jikokoas so far and @UKMECS is supporting our R&D for efficient electrical cookstoves #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A1(2/3): With access to thousands of homes across East Africa, Labs build solutions that empower M-KOPA's customers - unbanked, rural lives with limited energy access - and other populations that can benefit from low-energy appliances #InclusiveAppliancesChat