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For people in developed countries, electricity can be a thing of the past: just turn on a switch or push a button to turn on the lights, the TV, and many other modern conveniences. .
Yet many people do not enjoy the same benefits. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, 600 million people do not have access to electricity, according to the International Energy Agency.
To broaden access and provide "universal electricity for all", the IEA said that "decentralized systems, led by solar photovoltaic (PV) in off-grid systems and mini-grids, will constitute the least expensive solution for three quarters of the additional connections needed. "
It is in this context that organizations such as Baobab +, which describes itself as a social enterprise, seek to bring about change. The company aims to provide people living in rural Africa with access to electricity and digital technologies.
The president of Baobab + is Alexandre Costa. He told CNBC's "Sustainable Energy" that the company wanted to give people "access to lighting" and "digitize them, because we believe that distance education , online agriculture and online health care will be the solution for the future in rural areas. "
One of the Baobab + programs includes a solar energy system à la carte. After making a down payment, a solar home system is installed on the customer's property. Small daily or weekly payments can be made to activate – and possibly own – the system, replacing the use of candles and batteries.
Baobab + is one of many companies looking to improve access to energy in Africa through innovative models. Others include M-Kopa Solar and Azuri Technologies, who also specialize in solar a la carte technology.
Sabine Rajeriarimina, who lives on the island of Madagascar, is a Baobab + pay-as-you-go customer. "Solar-powered products bring environmental benefits to Madagascar because people do not need to use candles or gas lamps, which is dangerous and harmful to health," he said. she told CNBC.
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