Our Impact
Through pioneering programmes in Sierra Leone, Senegal and Malawi, REAL and partners have delivered more than 26,000 solar home system connections since 2024, demonstrating that a service-based approach can achieve high community-wide uptake, long-term affordability and reliable energy access at scale.
Evidence from REAL’s programmes shows community penetration rates of 70–100%, with some communities reaching universal electrification.
Improving lives through affordable and reliable electricity
Our affordability-first model removes upfront purchase costs and enables households to access electricity through low monthly service payments, helping reach populations that have historically been excluded from energy access programmes, and achieve penetration rates of between 70-100% in the first wave of deployment.
Customers benefit from ongoing maintenance, repair and system replacement at the household level, ensuring reliable service over time. Research across programme countries found that 96% of users reported an improved quality of life and 99% felt safer in their homes after electrification. Communities also report greater opportunities for education, communication and income generation.
Delivering sustainable long-term connections and high-quality service
Our model improves service continuity while maximising the impact and efficiency of public funding. Our pilot data shows through EaaS 80% of customers gained access to energy at home for the first time, with a 97% Net Promoter Score.
The service-based model delivers customer satisfaction through integrated maintenance and replacement management, extending system lifetimes, improving customer outcomes and contributing to better e-waste management. This approach drives high usage rates and revenue, which ensures that public investment delivers lasting access rather than short-term installation targets.
Shaping the future of electrification in sub-Saharan Africa
REAL’s impact extends beyond programme delivery. Drawing on operational experience and real-world performance data, REAL has developed a practical blueprint for governments, donors and investors seeking to scale last-mile electrification. Through programme design, advocacy and innovative financing structures, REAL is helping build the ecosystem needed to make EaaS for solar home systems a mainstream approach to energy access. It partners with local operators to pilot and implement EaaS DRE programmes at scale, enabling long-term local job creation.