CUSTOM CHALLENGE; TANZANIA
PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED
Juabar, a design-build start-up, creates transportable mobile-phone charging kiosks powered by a 40-60W solar system for use in rural and urban areas that lack access to electricity.
Learn more about the Custom Challenge and why we only fund ideas that focus on distributing proven poverty interventions.
DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION
Turning Juabar kiosks into solar light enterprises run by "Juapreneurs" can act as an extremely effective means for overcoming the traditional distribution barriers faced in Tanzania for numerous reasons:
The market for Juabar kiosks directly correlates with that of solar lights - in areas of Tanzania that are not electrified. Juabar provides needed phone charging services and solar lights are a complementary product offering for this market.
The kiosks provide a working example to potential consumers of the effectiveness of solar power thorugh the charging of their phones. This overcomes the hesitation that a consumer often has when met with a new product such as solar technology. In addition to handing out marketing materials, promotion will come when routine charging customers repeatedly interact with lighting products and the kiosk operators who can promote their benefits.
A portable kiosk allows operators to bring their service and products to the consumer. With its large, unique structure, Juabar sticks out in every setting and word-of-mouth about its presence travels quickly in isolated rural areas. Phone costs can represent up to 25% of the annual income of someone with poor energy access, with up to 50% of these costs going to travel expenses in getting to a charging location. Kiosks reduce these travel costs and can directly show consumers an option for further reducing ongoing household energy costs.
PILOT AND SCALING GOALS
- Create 15 solar lighting Juapreneurs by the end of the 3 month pilot
- Serve 4,000 households with charging services during the 3 month pilot
- Roll out 150 Juabar lighting dealers by the end of year 2
- Reach 26,650 households by the end of year 2
FOUNDING TEAM
Olivia Nava - Co-Founder