BRINGING SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY TO MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN TOGO

A difficult and all too familiar energy crisis threatens Togo's development on a daily basis. Many cities and towns experience frequent electricity cuts, lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours. The lack of reliable energy endangers not only essential services at hospitals, schools and government offices but also puts Togo's developing economy at risk on a larger scale.

Microfinance has become a large and important part of this small West African country's growth in that past 15 years and the ongoing contributions of microfinance institutions (MFI) to both financial progress and societal well-being are paramount. Microfinance is also a sector that suffers significantly in the wake of unreliable energy sources.

SunPower Afrique plans to provide a reliable and renewable source of energy to MFI in Togo to set up an operational framework for their continued progress. With access to decades of a dependable energy from the sun, MFI can achieve their mission of reducing poverty much more quickly, by maximizing their usage of information technology.

In addition to providing MFI with the means to realize their existing development goals, SunPower Afrique maintains a larger mission to set up a tangible and successful example in which this new industry, solar energy, can be established in Togo.

Please contact kira.costanza@sunpowerafrique.org for more information.