Smart Solar Kiosk - Burundi and Rwanda

This activity developed a solar-power mobile kiosk to provide access to income-generating opportunities for vulnerable groups such as unemployed youth and women. Smart Solar Kiosk uses renewable energy to produce electricity to charge mobile phones on a business scale.

Fast facts:

Each solar powered kiosk can charge up to 30 mobile phones and small devices at one time;
In addition to mobile phone charging, customers can also purchase mobile and solar products and electronic vouchers;
Each kiosk comes with Wi-Fi internet access;
As of today, this activity has 25 mobile solar kiosks on the ground in Rwanda and one kiosk in Burundi.

The problem

The national grid in Rwanda services only 17% of the population, so many businesses face electricity shortages, which does not allow them to operate their businesses to full potential.

The solution

With several mobile solar kiosks on the ground, businesses too will have opportunities to charge their mobile phones quickly, cheaply, cleanly and with flexibility. This activity has developed a low-cost franchise business model that enables entrepreneurial-minded individuals that are otherwise financially excluded to deliver services and products at competitive prices, thereby generating rapid revenue growth and fostering income growth. Kiosks are equipped with charging stations powered to charge small electronic devices through solar energy and offer services and products ranging from mobile money transfers, electronic vouchers and Wi-Fi access.

Helping the planet

Smart Solar Kiosks replace fossil fuels with solar energy, thus reducing carbon emissions.

Helping people

This activity has created a platform for women to start their own Smart Solar Kiosk franchises. Women wanting to open their own franchise will require less investment to start a franchise. This activity is also working with youth and disabilities. They are locating funding opportunities for them to finance their business.

Scaling Up

This activity aims to develop partnerships with major telecommunication companies in the region, which can provide more services at more economical prices. This will help franchises sell a wider selection of products and services to their customers, thus increasing their revenues. Smart Solar Kiosks also hopes to expand to other African countries by developing local partnerships with distributors and franchises.