TY  - JOUR
N1  - This version is the author-accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher?s terms and conditions.
VL  - 9
SP  - 520
JF  - Nature Energy
A1  - Perros, Tash
A1  - Unsworth, Sam
A1  - Ali, Muez
A1  - Bisaga, Iwona
A1  - Tomei, Julia
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-024-01490-1
SN  - 2058-7546
TI  - Towards responsible and fair pay-as-you-go energy access in sub-Saharan Africa
AV  - public
Y1  - 2024/05//
EP  - 525
KW  - Developing world
KW  -  Development studies
KW  -  Economics
N2  - Market-based solutions are playing an increasingly important role in advancing the energy sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Here we focus on pay-as-you-go (PAYG) energy systems, a market-based approach that enables users to pay for energy in small amounts. While acknowledging the benefits of PAYG, we draw attention to six areas of concern about its implementation, including the suitability of PAYG business models to serve lower-income households, data collection and use, and the characteristics of PAYG energy providers and investors. We outline an agenda for inclusive PAYG energy systems in a proactive effort to shape a rapidly evolving sector. We hope that by anticipating these risks, we can help ensure that the PAYG sector is appropriately regulated and that its benefits accrue to the intended beneficiaries.
ID  - discovery10190723
PB  - Springer Science and Business Media LLC
ER  -