Publications

Sparking Strong Partnerships

SEEP Network and Sustainable Energy Solutions, 2008

This paper outlines the need to build and maintain effective partnerships between energy companies and microfinance institutions so as to expand energy lending to the poor.
Download Sparking_Strong_Partnerships_FINAL.pdf (170 K)

Using Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services

Sustainable Energy Solutions and the SEEP Network, 2007

These papers offer a detailed look at the business models, clients, and operations of selected microfinance institutions in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean that currently have energy-lending programs. Funded by Citi Foundation and USAID, this study provides initial recommendations for expanding energy lending to the global financial services community, energy companies, donors, and policy makers; to highlight lessons to learn from; and to identify areas that warrant further attention for using microfinance to improve access to energy services.

There are three Regional Papers, covering Asia, Africa, and Latin America and a Summary of Findings paper that summarizes and consolidates the major findings from three regional studies. We also have translated the Summary of Findings paper into Spanish.

Using Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services: Summary of Findings

by Ellen Morris, Jacob Winiecki, Sonali Chowdhary, Kristen Cortiglia

Download Energy_Summary_Final.pdf (2.4 MB)

Final Spanish Version of Using Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services

Download Energy_Summary_Spanish.pdf (1.8 MB)

Using Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services: The Emerging Experiences in East Africa of Faulu Kenya and Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO)

by John Kabutha, May Sengendo, Jacob Winiecki, and Ellen Morris

Download Energy_Africa_Final.pdf (2.3 MB)

Using Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services: The Emerging Experiences in Asia of Self-Employed Women's Association Bank (SEWA), Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services (SEEDS), Nirdhan Utthan Bank Limited (NUBL), and AMRET

by Helianti Hilman, Jyoti Gidwani, Ellen Morris, Prem Sagar Subedi, and Sonali Chowdhary

Download Energy_Asia_Final.pdf (2.3 MB)

Using Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services: A Desk Study of Experiences in Latin America and the Caribbean

by April Allderdice, Jacob Winiecki, and Ellen Morris

Download Energy_LatAm_Final.pdf (2 MB)

Workshop Proceedings: Consumer Lending and Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services, May 19-21 2004

Organized by Arc co-founder Ellen Morris, this workshop convened energy and finance practitioners from Asia, Latin America, and Africa to discuss design elements for increasing access to consumer loans and microfinance for energy services. The workshop led the way to confirming that access to modern energy services can be enhanced by access to consumer credit and microfinance and was the first step in the creation of Arc Finance. The workshop was supported by UNDP, U.S. Agency for International Development, the German Development Agency GTZ, and the World Bank/UNDP Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme.
Download Manila_Workshop_Proceedings.pdf (110 KB)

Issues and Options: The Potential Role of Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services

Harish Hande, Solar Electric Light Company India, and Kamal Kapadia, University of California Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group, May 2004

This paper offers an introduction to how microcredit and consumer lending can contribute to expanding access to modern energy. Topics include the key dimensions of consumers' energy and financing needs, issues faced by microfinance institutions and energy enterprises in meeting these needs, and opportunities for synergies between stakeholders.
Download Issues_and_Options.pdf (177 K)

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