A market systems analysis in the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda to identify the key barriers to off-grid solar units and Pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar energy products reaching refugee and host consumer markets.
PAYGo makes solar systems accessible to consumers who otherwise could not afford a large upfront payment, by distributing purchasing costs over time. Uganda has created one of the most successful markets for PAYGo solar energy. Yet, despite a flourishing national market, this research found a near-total absence of PAYGo products and services within West Nile refugee settlements, where use of solar energy is limited to larger business owners and merchants.
This research explores why PAYGo has not yet reached refugee markets and whether targeted interventions could address existing market barriers and improve choices for refugee energy consumers.