We have three major strategies to boost the access to energy for rural households and small entrepreneurs:
- Develop the Supply Chain: This strategy starts by identifying high-potential entrepreneurs and convincing these entrepreneurs to start or develop a business in renewable energy. As soon as these entrepreneuers have signed a partnership agreement with us, they receive frequent trainings in the field of Technology, Marketing & Sales, and Business Administration. As part of the Marketing & Sales support, the entrepreneurs are entitled to using REF's brand name Solar.Now! (Solaire.Ici! in francophone countries). Retailers are visited at least on a quarterly basis. REF monitors the quality of the services and products of its Solar.Now! retailers by doing frequent after-sales visits to end-users;
- Facilitate Access to Finance: REF stimulates financial institutions and other commercial actors to extend credit to smaller retailers (to increase their stock), to small businesses generating income from renewable energy (such as phone charging stations, barbershops, etc.), and, last but not least, to end-users (for them to purchase, for example, a solar home system). REF established, with the support of DOEN Foundation, a guarantee fund that allows REF to bear part of the credit risk associated with these loans.
- Market Facilitation: REF stimulates market transparency by organizing frequent tradefairs and meetings between importers, wholesalers and retailers of renewable energy products. Also, in all countries REF publishes quarterly newsletters, containing infomation on product innovation, regulation and market development. Further REF is involved in a number of initiatives, such as advisory boards for renewable energy to governments, founding member of renewable energy associations, etc.
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