Rwanda started on the path to become a digital economy in 1999 and major milestones have been achieved and visible in many a place. More of us have electricity to power the digital tools and services we enjoy every day, if I were to write about them, I’d never finish nor do them justice.

No digital and greater financial inclusion would be a reality today without electricity. Having affordable access is something many take for granted because it has been part of our lives forever and will “feel the pain” when power is off or unstable, which is becoming rarer for many these days.

However, many STILL do not have nor have ever had electricity i.e. LIGHT in their home. Let that sink in for moment! I hope you are inspired to use your voice and money to help bring light to ALL homes in Rwanda.

Last week, I had the opportunity visit the BBOXX Rwanda future home in Bugesera, to learn more about their work and impact to-date. It was an eye opener that left me full of hope in a future where every Rwandan child lives in a home with electricity and enjoys a life of dreaming big and pursues learning through digital tools because their parents can afford to get and keep the lights on at home.

What excited me most was seeing a future model rural home built by sustainable and affordable materials and fully powered by cleaner and renewable energy, from the lights to cooking gas, water purification, irrigation of a kitchen garden. We are in the battle of our lives against climate change, and this home showed me what is possible in living sustainably. My next home will be one that lives up to this great example.

What shocked and bothered me was that BBOX had deployed solar power kits on credit close to 100,000 homes, however over 30,000 of these have been repossessed because people cannot afford to pay the monthly installment of RWF 3,500 to RWF 5,900. This broke my heart because on any given outing, I spend way more than this moreover there are those who can’t keep the lights on because of this amount.

After my visit, I read up on our electronification progress over the years. Most recent report shows we are now at 51% electronification with 14% powered off-grid which is predominantly solar home systems. I hope this number doesn’t include households from whom solar kits have been repossessed.   Nonetheless 49% of Rwanda is without electricity. I also learned that it costs the government $600 for one rural household to be connected to the national grid, 90% ($540) of this cost is subsidized.

The good news is government would only need $80 to $90 to subsidize a single solar connection, which is payable over three years and comes with great service provided by solar agents close to home to inspire greater productivity.  Solar energy can power batteries to:

1. Power lights for up to 24 hours
2. Power radio for up to 6 hours
3. Power torches for up to 6 hours, which work great on those grey days
4. Power hair clippers for grooming at home or at a barber shop
5. Power TV for up to 4 hours
6. And more…which all translate into more possibilities for the all beneficiaries and the nation.

Indeed, the possibilities are endless and perhaps most important is the entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for our youth. BBOXX has a center in every district, well-staffed and supported by agents to get services closer to customers and resolve any issues they may have. Testimonies of those touched by BBOXX’s ecosystem are heartwarming, I can only imagine the impact on job creation, digital and financial inclusion when 49% of Rwandans have light in their homes, which can also double as places of business for a village barber, tailor etc., electrician, TV/radio technician etc.

With solar power opportunities;

1. Government can spread that $540 subsidy for one home to the grid further by providing access through off-grid solar to 7 homes and put an end to repossessions.
2. Rwandans at home and abroad can contribute to lighting up homes. As we did with #Byebyenyakatsi, we can unite to say by #ByebyeUmwijima from anywhere in the world.
3. Employment and entrepreneurial opportunities abound in the energy sector and more of us can be inspired to be more productive utilizing energy.
4. Solar powered mini-grids can consolidate reserve energy and deploy it into the national grid to power our made in Rwanda factories.

The sun shines bright on every hill and in every valley nearly every day in Rwanda. I can only imagine the impact of government subsidizing solar connections and Rwandans/Friends of Rwanda joining in to make sure every home and business has access to affordable and sustainable energy.

I know by 2024 we shall be toasting to the impact of light as we enjoy the joy and productivity of our children thanks to light and growth of made in Rwanda factories, bringing us to a more inclusive, equal and even more Agacirofied nation.   Will you add your voice and money to this #ByebyeUmwijima effort?