The client wanted to develop a whitepaper to highlight the role of PUE in supporting micro-enterprises beyond agriculture. Focusing on India, Kenya, and Nigeria, the study maps energy solution providers and uncovers lesser-known PUE activities, showcasing PUE’s potential to drive local economic transformation and improve livelihoods.

Objective

The client wanted to develop a whitepaper to explore the role of Productive Use of Energy (PUE) in supporting micro-enterprises beyond the agriculture and allied sectors. The study provides new insights into the landscape of energy solution providers engaged in lesser-known PUE activities across India, Kenya, and Nigeria. It highlights how PUE can drive localized socio-economic development by transforming rural, peri-urban, and urban communities into economically vibrant hubs and emphasizes its potential in enhancing the livelihoods of micro-enterprises outside traditional agricultural value chains.

Our Approach

Literature Review

Conducted a detailed literature review, performing a comprehensive stocktake of the limited published information related to the PUE use cases addressed in this report.

Project Development

Created a market database of 153 suppliers across sectors such as Cooling, Blacksmithing, Carpentry, Cottage Industry, Cooking, Hairdressing, and Textiles, providing an indication of PUE asset supplies in India, Kenya, and Nigeria. While not exhaustive, the database offers valuable insights into the operational suppliers in each country.

Funding Programs

Compiled a database of financiers and funding programs available to productive energy solution suppliers in the target countries through desk-based research. This funding database serves as a foundational resource for country-specific funding flow maps presented in the report.

Stakeholder

Engaged 31 stakeholders, including both development-focused and commercial suppliers. Given the scarcity of published studies on the PUE applications covered in this report, these interviews provided critical insights into under-researched topics.

Outcome

The final public report explores the landscape of Productive Uses of Energy (PUE) among microenterprises, with a focus on sectors such as cooling, food processing, textiles, and ICT across India, Kenya, and Nigeria. It analyzes challenges faced by PUE suppliers and presents targeted recommendations for financial institutions, go-to-market partners, and market enablers to enhance affordability, access to finance, and market reach.

Link to report: https://shellfoundation.org/news/exploring-the-potential-of-under-researched-productive-uses-of-energy/