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Digital finance for energy access in Uganda: Putting mobile money big data analytics to work

Access to clean energy is a basic need that directly supports people’s livelihood. Yet more than 30 million Ugandans live without electricity. In the last decade, Uganda has experienced a phenomenal change in the adoption of digital finance and energy technologies. This opens up new frontiers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on accessing clean and affordable energy, promoting inclusive economic growth, and improving health and well-being. With more than 73 percent mobile phone and 59 percent mobile money penetration, Pay-as-you-go (PayGo) solar offers a promising digital solution to provide clean and affordable energy for low-income and rural households in Uganda. However, there remain significant information gaps hindering the growth of the digital energy market in Uganda.