WID Energy
WID Energy is an IB initiative (social enterprise) offering solar home systems. The company sells through 600 rural sales (38% of them being women) agents being in immediate contact with the customers (95% of them being BoP and 90% being women) all over the country (no geographical focus) substantially increasing distribution costs.
It has 10 service centres in 4 provinces. As a result, distribution costs are high, and the company only served 2,700 customers (2019) which is projected to increase to 10,000 by 2025. The products are of high quality and the pay-as-you-go system makes them affordable for the poor.
While the company has challenges in commercial viability, the management confirmed that the double emphasis on providing income for women by distributing solar home systems, and the low product diversification are constant challenges for the company’s business return, sustainability, and growth.