When talking to players within the Last Mile Distribution (LMD) industry — (e.g. distributors of SHS, Clean Cookstoves and so forth) there is always abundant energy and enthusiasm around their impact and how it contributes to improving the lives of millions, and rightly so. …

Let’s start with the basics. What is the difference between digitisation and digitalisation? If digitisation is a conversion of data and processes, digitalisation is a transformation. More than just making existing data digital, digitalisation embraces the ability of digital technology to collect data, establish trends and make better business decisions…

Selling smartphones under PAYGO has made headlines for the the past few years. Initially, the term PAYGO was seen as a scheme to sell Solar Home Systems (SHS) in Eastern Africa with the likes of M-Kopa and d-light being the pioneers. …

By March 2020, there were 5,544 active mini-grid projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and small island nations as identified through the Mini-Grids Partnership report. While this is promising and numbers have grown since, thousands more are needed to serve the millions still without electricity. …

To objectively evaluate 2021 we will need to wait a few more weeks before seeing industry data from the likes of GOGLA, the Clean Cooking Alliance or the ARE; hopefully confirming earlier signs that 2021 has shown improvements in sales of SHS, appliances, clean cooking, water filters and others; and…

As we partner with manufacturers and distributors in emerging markets and help them manage or scale their operations, there is one clear variable that ultimately influences the way they do business: the penetration of the mobile phone. Over the last years, we have seen the share of cash payments decrease…

Two years ago, Upya wrote its first blog on Medium, “Disaggregation is coming to off-grid energy in Africa”. Today is a good time look back and reflect on what has happened since and how disaggregation has increased and requires building partnerships within the industry. Where we are today? For the…

A New Type of Client Upya is a SaaS/CRM partner for manufacturers and distributors in emerging markets that need to digitize, optimize and scale their operations. We are currently working across +20 countries in Africa and South-East Asia to deploy SHS, cookstoves, pico-solar, water filters, productive use equipment and more…

E-mobility in Africa has certainly made the headlines lately. As we are writing this, the last article was from ESI Africa and the industry has already been covered by the likes of CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg. It is estimated that there are 15 million moto-taxis in Sub-Saharan Africa and that…