The Role of Mobile Operators and Mobile Technology in Driving the Growth of the Microgrid Ecosystem in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Despite its vast potential in several African countries, and other low-and-middle income countries, the microgrid sector still faces significant barriers such as lacking financing commitments, operational challenges, and stakeholder misalignment. Examples from both Africa and Asia show that mobile-enabled digital solutions can be critical to overcoming these barriers, and driving the sustainable development agenda to end energy poverty across LMICs.
This presentation will focus on the role of mobile operators and mobile technology in driving the growth of the microgrid ecosystem in low-and-middle income countries. The insights presented will draw on learnings from past rounds of the Digitial Utilities Innovation Fund, which provided financial support to micro-grid companies that leverage mobile technology or partner with mobile operators. It will also feature wider insights from the GSMA Mobile for Development Programme, which are situated at the intersection of energy access, digital inclusion, financial inclusion, and economic development.
Key Takeaways:
- Key synergies between mobile operators and microgrid companies in LMICs -- past learnings as well as future prospects for the anchor-based-client models, which refer to mini-grid deployments that leverage telecom towers as anchor clients, while also providing energy to surrounding communities
- The role of mobile operator data in integrated energy planning
- The value of mobile-enabled digital solutions such as prepaid smart metering, and pay-as-you-go appliance financing for microgrid business models
- How data from mobile operators can be leveraged for integrated energy planning by governments and donors, and for deployment/investment decisions by microgrid companies and investors
George Kibala Bauer
Director, Digital Utilities
GSMA
George Kibala Bauer is a Director in the GSMA Digital Utilities programme. In this role, he focuses on developing and managing strategic partnerships, conducting research on the role of digital solutions and innovative partnerships in improving essential urban utility service provision, and supporting innovators in low- and middle-income countries in their journeys to scale.
Prior to joining the GSMA, George gained experience in consulting and strategic communications, economic research, development finance, and government affairs. George holds a MSc in international economic policy from Sciences Po Paris, a BA in economics from McGill University, as well as certificates in project finance, impact evaluation, and urban planning. He was also selected to take part in the On Deck Climate Tech Fellowship, a programme bringing together start-up and climate experts to catalyse climate tech innovations.
Director, Digital Utilities
GSMA
George Kibala Bauer is a Director in the GSMA Digital Utilities programme. In this role, he focuses on developing and managing strategic partnerships, conducting research on the role of digital solutions and innovative partnerships in improving essential urban utility service provision, and supporting innovators in low- and middle-income countries in their journeys to scale.
Prior to joining the GSMA, George gained experience in consulting and strategic communications, economic research, development finance, and government affairs. George holds a MSc in international economic policy from Sciences Po Paris, a BA in economics from McGill University, as well as certificates in project finance, impact evaluation, and urban planning. He was also selected to take part in the On Deck Climate Tech Fellowship, a programme bringing together start-up and climate experts to catalyse climate tech innovations.