Appliances designed for off-grid use are important in Rwanda’s humanitarian context as electrical appliances improve people’s livelihoods and enhance their overall well-being through clean cooking, lighting, and improved access to education, and economic opportunities.
This research, conducted by CLASP, Efficiency for Access, Practical Action and Verasol, explores three key considerations for procuring appliances in the Rwandan humanitarian context:
Appliance categorization by sector (household, business, and community use), highlighting how different users prioritize parameters such as energy efficiency, affordability, and ease of repair
Procurement challenges unique to refugee contexts, including financing barriers, supply chain constraints, and the tension between short-term affordability and long-term sustainability
Policy and practical considerations associated with Rwanda’s e-waste regulations and the logistical hurdles of distributing and maintaining appliances in camp environments
Closing Rwanda’s refugee energy gap requires appliances that are affordable, durable, and aligned with user needs—backed by smart financing, policy and cross-sector collaboration.
