Arc News Headlines
Power off the grid: Solar panels empower the rural poor
Sep 25, '09 MediaGlobal
SELCO India Announces Social Growth Financing Investment
From The Good Energies Foundation, The Lemelson Foundation and E+Co
Jan 12, '09 Selco Press Release
The battle for the soul of microfinance
Dec 5, '08 Financial Times
Power to the people
October 27, 2008 Financial Times
Where We Work
Arc Finance works in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We currently have country programs underway in Africa and Asia and will begin work in Latin America later in 2009.
1. Kenya
Faulu Kenya, a well-established MFI, and Arc Finance are working on the design, launch, and financing of an energy-lending division that will provide loans for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), solar, biogas, fuel-efficient cook stoves, and grid connection.
2. Uganda
East Africa Energy Networks is a new enterprise that works with seed funding from Arc Finance to provide technical and advisory services to energy enterprises and microfinance institutions. The organization also brokers transactions to expand energy lending.
3. Ethiopia
Arc Finance has partnered with the German nonprofit Sifting Solarenergie to start a revolving fund that will provide loans to the poor for home and business solar energy products. We are in the process of designing and piloting the program and are testing innovative smart card technology for solar products.
4. Philippines
Progressive Bank in the Philippines is expanding its energy-lending portfolio with the assistance of Arc Finance. Work is underway to provide technical assistance in the design and launch of the pilot solar-lending program and to help secure investors.
5. India
Arc is working with the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy to help award winners, such as Technology Informatics Design Endeavour (TIDE), connect end-users with finance for energy products. Work is underway to conduct a market assessment of TIDE clients who need loans for cleaner cook stoves.