African Clean Energy

CREDIT-BASED ENERGY ACCESS THROUGH SMART TECH

This project launched a new pay-as-you-go (PAYG) cooking solution in Lesotho. The new ACE 1 cookstove has a built-in microprocessor, allowing it to communicate with smartphones, and it was sold in a bundle with phones that have the ACE app pre-installed. The company used their network of shops across Lesotho to increase access to energy products in off-grid areas and offered customer discounts on sustainable fuel pellets based on their payment history and credit rating. The goal was to galvanise the clean fuel sector and create long-term demand. With EEP Africa financing, ACE rolled out the first 2,567 cookstove bundles within this network of energy hubs.

Outcome and Impact

The project increased clean energy access and brought the benefits of smartphones to 1,250 households, reaching an estimated 13,195 people. This project produced strong development impact through improving household health and income, creating 21 new permanent jobs and reducing 14,685 tonnes CO2e emissions.