In August 2019 we promoted early pilot findings on the launch of HelloSolar, a new enterprise established with co-funding with the UK government and USAID that sought to integrate a new Pay-As-You-Go solar business with an existing mobile money operator in Ethiopia.
Early positive business results and high satisfaction levels among new customers saw us extend our support to help HelloSolar expand into new regions and grow their sales.
As of January 2020, HelloSolar has gone from a total of 500 customers to more than 5,000 within 12 months. They now operate from 37 sales points in five regions: Somali, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR). Two more regions will also be entering the HelloSolar portfolio as well as new products focusing on SMEs and farming needs.
In this latest report, they highlight the learnings they have seen whilst experiencing such rapid growth in a market with substantial challenges in areas telecommunications and regulations. Their lessons include:
| Market Learnings | Enterprise Learnings | Product and Customer Learnings |
| ForEx risks | Funding Gaps | Customer Outreach |
| Regulatory environments | IT Systems | Default Risks |
| Customs and market delays | Distributions | Reaching the Last Mile |
| After-Sales | Product/Market Fit | |
| Partnerships |
Download the full report [2MB]