OneLamp

OneLamp is powered 100% by USSD technology enabling millions of offgrid African households order solar home systems using their cell phones, pay with mobile money and enjoy door to door delivery using an existing transport infrastructure and a direct village retailer sales network.

OneLamp leverages Africa’s rapid mobile revolution, partnerships with local retailers and an existing transport infrastructure to solve energy poverty. By deploying the best of mobile payments and technology-enabled rural lastmile distribution OneLamp also enables low income offgrid households acquire solar power systems on a “pay-per-use” basis, with small, incremental payments made weekly by mobile phone. USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) technology allows OneLamp to aggregate demand for solar systems, enable micro mobile payments, quality customer aftersales service and impact assessment.

OneLamp sells solar powered fridge system comprising of 150W panel, two lights and a battery 100AH capacity to off grid small enterprises both in rural and pre-urban areas. To offgrid households; OneLamp sells a digital 32”TV powered by a 35W solar panel with 4 LED lights, and one rechargeable lithium battery that works for 5 years. OneLamp also sells solar lanterns and small solar home systems of 2 - 3 lights with capacity to charge mobile phones. To purchase OneLamp Pay As You Go Solar home systems, offgrid households make down payment of 30% and then weekly payments of $2.8 - $10 for 72 - 96 weeks depending on the size of the solar home system.

OneLamp is manufacturer neutral and sources high quality affordable products from global suppliers that meet Lighting Africa minimum quality standards & recommended performance targets. We currently have distribution agreements for East Africa with four solar manufacturers. OneLamp also has agreements with two of the largest Mobile Network Operators in Uganda; MTN & AIRTEL to enable mobile payments and product orders via the mobile USSD platform.

USSD technology is available on every GSM-enabled mobile phone allowing OneLamp to reach directly potential offgrid customers scattered in rural villages and in urban slums cross the country without internet access or grid connection. Already 61% of Kenyans, 42% of Ugandans and 39% of Tanzanians are using their cell phones to make payments. Also 80% of East Africans use their mobile phones to send text messages.