Nearly two-thirds of Tanzania’s population of 49 million reside in rural areas, with less than 5% of these households having access to electricity. For the rest, alternative forms of energy such as paraffin, charcoal and firewood are used.
The Juabar kiosk is a mobile, light-blue, small wagon, almost similar to what is used by ice-cream vendors. It can charge up to 20 phones at a time and costs Juabar about US$600 to install.
However, many households own at least one mobile phone, even in the most remote villages. As of 2014, Tanzania had a mobile penetration rate of 63%. Yet for most of these households, charging a mobile phone can be challenging. This is a problem two US entrepreneurs want to solve.
In 2012 Olivia Nava and Sachi DeCou teamed up to introduce solar-powered kiosks that charge mobile phones in off-grid areas of Tanzania. Their company Juabar (Swahili for solar bar) has built a franchise network of micro-business owners who offer phone charging services.
The Juabar kiosk is a mobile, light-blue, small wagon, almost similar to what is used by ice-cream vendors. It can charge up to 20 phones at a time and costs Juabar about US$600 to install.
https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/how-this-company-built-a-business-by-charging-phones-in-rural-tanzania/