Publication database

This report sheds light on one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world - ASEAN. Countries within ASEAN are in themselves diverse, with economic, political, and cultural nuances. Over the next years, the confluence of favorable demographics, rising income levels, geopolitical shifts, and digital inter-connectedness will create tremendous opportunities in the region to advance inclusive and responsible consumption for decades to come. This report builds on in-depth consumer surveys conducted across over 1,740 households in 22 cities and towns in ASEAN. It also draws from over 35 in-depth interviews with private and public-sector leaders. This research leads to insights on ASEAN’s present and future outlook on consumption. The report highlights the most significant implications for businesses that aim to thrive in the ASEAN economies over the next decade. It also lays out a call to action for all stakeholders in ASEAN’s growth to build an inclusive future for the region in a post-Covid world.

As power supply in Nigeria´s electricity grid is unreliable, Lumos, an off-grid solar company provides access to affordable and reliable electricity to homes and businesses in Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire through its solar home systems. The report focuses on Lumos' customers. Especially, their experiences with the electricity grid before accessing solar home systems, their educational and financial backgrounds, if they are using solar power privately or for business and their feedback on possible improvement of Lumos' power supply.   

This report presents a case study of how women and men in rural Tanzania are affected differently by the arrival of off-grid electricity in their homes, and the extent to which access contributes towards women’s empowerment. It aims to inform work by enterprises, as well as funders and policy makers so that women in Tanzania and beyond are meaningfully included in the sustainable energy transition. In order to do this, our study tests assumptions about the impact of household solar technologies on women’s lives so that companies can ensure their products and services are inclusive and avoid reinforcing gender inequality.

The report takes customer-led view of the impact of the off-grid energy sector, as well as the relative performance of the sub-sectors within it.

An increasing number of poor households are gaining access to financing for physical assets ranging from smartphones to solar panels. However, even as poor people increase their borrowing for these assets, their impact on people’s livelihoods - and how debt affects the benefits of asset ownership - remains poorly understood. CGAP has undertaken a comprehensive review of the available evidence to understand (i) how asset ownership can lead to improvements in well-being for poor households and (ii) whether obtaining an asset through a loan or lease as opposed to a transfer, grant, or outright purchase affects the benefits associated with ownership.