Publication database

This study analyses the state of the renewable energy sector in Niger, assessing the factors that influence market actors, the use of clean lighting and ICS and the end-user motivators. It seeks to understand the value placed on clean lighting; determine the price range each target group would pay for various lighting and cooking products; and define microcredit products that could be used to finance low-cost renewable energy products.

This study investigates the cost of kerosene to rural consumers by examining prices in five African countries: Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya. It focuses on consumers who buy in small quantities in order to better inform the cost benefit analyses for the transition of kerosene lighting to modern off-grid lighting systems.

This comprehensive report reviews patterns in innovation at the base of the pyramid based on research from 26 organisations in Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, from acquiring, applying and sustaining innovations to engaging low income communities and sectors. The second half of the report focuses on specific sector innovations including health, water and sanitation, ICT and business, energy, agriculture and food and climate change.

This report provides an overview of the biofuels debate with a particular focus on the biodiesel crop Jatropha Curcas. It looks at the impact of Jatropha production on smallholders in Zambia and the experience of Bio Energy Resources Ltd operating in Malawi.

The report is an update to the original 'Solar Lighting for the Base of the Pyramid: Overview of an Emerging Market' report published in 2010, which provided a snapshot of the off-grid lighting market, industry-level data and analysis on key trends. The current report updates the market trends and developments since 2010.

This report highlights the critical role that business plays in enhancing access to energy and, more broadly, in the expansion and transformation of national energy systems to deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy for all. It discusses with case examples how to scale up the business contribution; the business model innovations in the sector; financing mechanisms and enabling policy frameworks.

This publication draws on the insights from the implementation of three separate innovation pilots: the production of new antibiotic and antimalarial test kits, an electricity socket that allows BoP consumers with biogas digesters to produce electricity in their homes and a new line of business to sell safe vegetables produced by smallholder farmers to main cities in Vietnam. This edition of BoP Insights focuses on inclusive innovations including examining the innovation process, challenges and key lessons.

This journal article discusses new research from Lighting Africa, in five sub-Saharan African countries. It analyses women's role as both consumers and entrepreneurs and identifies women-specific opportunities in the expanding market for modern off-grid lighting.

This case study focuses on the inclusive business model of the Butwal Power Company Limited (BPC), a leading hydropower company in Nepal involved in generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in remote areas. BPC leverages a rural distribution network of User Organisations to assist with distributing power in these areas. The case describes the inclusive business model, the company's commercial drivers, results achieved as well as IFC's role and value add.

This market intelligence note presents empirical data from the 2005/06 Kenya Integrates Household Budget Survey on the expenditure for lighting fuels and the adoption of solar home systems among Kenyan households.