Using mobile banking to enhance access to electricity in rural Togo

Development of a Solar Pay-as-you-go Rural Electrification Solution

The CIZO Programme is part of a wider national electrification strategy aimed at bringing access to electricity to all citizens of Togo by 2030. The goal? Electrifying rural areas through the wide-scale installation of solar home kits coupled with a pay-as-you-go system relying on mobile banking.

We helped implement this programme by conducting technical, economic, and financial feasibility studies. We also prepared technical and functional specifications for the pay-as-you-go platform, the solar photovoltaic (PV) home kits, as well as solar kits for health centres, solar-powered water pumps for agriculture and hybrid PV-diesel village mini-grids. Our team developed terms of reference for further technical assistance services for the setting up of “solar academies” and a network of mobile payment agents. We also provided recommendations on the institutional setup and carried out an environmental and social impact assessment for the programme.

When complete, the installed solar kits will bring increased access to electricity to the citizens of Togo. This means access to lighting, mobile phone recharging, and power for small appliances. They also power streetlights, schools, health facilities, small enterprises, and irrigation pumps in rural areas—changing the way life operates for the better.