Solar Energy Firms Get Loans to Light Up Rural Tanzania
When Tanzanian company ARTI Energy brought solar lights to Kiromo village in the eastern district of Bagamoyo eight years ago, local people were excited but found them expensive.
"I really liked those lamps, but I could not imagine then that I would ever own one," recalled Kiromo resident Salum Ali.
The company realised the upfront investment needed to buy modern lighting devices was beyond the means of the average rural Tanzanian.
Guided by the belief that lighting is a basic human need, the Dar es Salaam-based sustainable energy firm decided to sell the lights on credit.

EEP Energy and Environmental Partnership Programme