Big Data, Big Opportunity: Is Data Science the Key to Universal Energy Access ?

- Bylined article, NextBillion.net -

A not-so silent revolution is happening around the world. If you are a citizen from a digitalised economy, you are now a quantified human, as there are certainly companies – from Facebook to Amazon to Google – that collectively know what you have done all day. But in many developing economies, most people in rural areas live “dataless” lives. The revolution has not yet reached them – but that is quickly changing.

For instance, if you are a member of an off-grid household in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a significant chance that you do not have access to basic services like electricity or a bank account. In this context, a new breed of companies is offering goods and services based on the emerging pay-as-you-go (or PAYGO) model, an Internet of Things-enabled microcredit mechanism.

This model is creating massive opportunities. When a company sells a PAYGO solar home system to a rural household, for example, something incredible happens: As a credit check is conducted, granular data about the customer’s economic and social situation are recorded for the first time. As weekly or monthly payments are collected, a credit history is built. This data can now be leveraged to improve access to finance, insurance and other productive and life-enhancing assets. - Guilhem Dupuy, Investment Manager at GAIA Impact Fund and Thibault Lesueur, Co-founder & CMO at Solaris Offgrid are discussing in this article for NextBillion.net the potential of predictive data analytics to increase investors’ attractiveness, unlock the full potential of companies within the Pay-as-you-Go sector and advance financial inclusion. Read the full article here

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About Next Billion :

NextBillion is a community of business leaders, social entrepreneurs, NGO managers, policy makers, academics and others exploring the connection between development and enterprise.

NextBillion chronicles new trends in market solutions to poverty that benefit the world’s 4 billion low-income producers and consumers – often known as the base of the pyramid. The site features in-depth analysis and opinion from thought leaders and researchers – as well as on-the-ground insights from social entrepreneurs. NextBillion also offers an editor-curated newsfeed, a calendar of important events, and a career center with continuously updated job opportunities across the “development through enterprise” market sector.

About PaygOps :

We empower suppliers of essential products and services with flexible, inclusive IT solutions that amplify their mission to serve the unbanked worldwide, even in the most remote areas. PaygOps seamlessly integrates with enterprise applications, payment systems (Mobile Money), and API services, enabling the smooth management of lease financing (for both Paygo and non-Paygo products) and operations across key sectors including solar, agriculture, clean cooking, access to water, e-mobility and microfinance. Designed for modularity and interoperability, PaygOps simplifies access to credit, streamlines distribution, and provides investors with critical financial data and insights.