Set your reminders. Efficiency for Access's #TwitterChat is tomorrow! From 13:30-13:15 am UK time, we'll explore the ways #OffGrid appliances can benefit women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Participate by replying with the hashtag, #InclusiveAppliancesChat!

A1(1/3): M-KOPA Labs is the R&D arm of M-KOPA Solar. We identify, develop and test new products/services and bring them to market-readiness by leveraging M-KOPA's core foundation (affordable financing, PAYG platform and last-mile delivery) #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A1(2/3): With access to thousands of homes across East Africa, Labs build solutions that empower M-KOPA's customers - unbanked, rural lives with limited energy access - and other populations that can benefit from low-energy appliances #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A1(3/3): Women are central to our effort to modernise the kitchen with solar fridges and clean cookstoves. We have sold >1,000 fridges and >17,000 BURN Jikokoas so far and Modern Energy Cooking Services is supporting our R&D for efficient electrical cookstoves #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A2(1/3): We know access to information is a key driver of #energyaccess and empowers those most vulnerable to economic and health shocks. The rapid spread of coronavirus brings this need for information and energy access to the forefront #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A2(2/3): Info appliances (radio, TV and smartphone) are key tools to educate and share knowledge with customers and amongst their hard-to-reach communities, especially in times of crisis. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A2(3/3): With knowledge as power and energy as a shield, households are resilient and wealthier. That's why Labs is exploring, with DFID, bundling PAYG SHS and smartphones for women-led enterprises to increase their earnings and business management #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A3 (1/3): We design products for people -- particularly for those that are underserved and vulnerable. Our products provide financial inclusion, access to information, income generation activities, and safe and efficient energy solutions. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A3 (2/3): Our inclusive design approach starts with capturing the customer voice through human-centered design with a strong gender lens. We integrate this approach in each product lifecycle - ensuring no one is left behind from start to finish. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A3 (3/3): For example, 70K low-income customers now own PAYG solar made affordable through circular economy principles. Check out our latest impact report for more! m-kopa.com/wp-content/upl… #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A4(1/3): The amount of people in smoke filled kitchens astounds us! We agree with Efficiency for Access, Product Market Fit is key to debunk myths and encourage cultural change. Our research employed human centered design tools with local women across Kenya #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A4(2/3): 45% of our salesforce is female, during our market research many of them shared intimate experiences (personal and communal), which will influence our criteria when selecting cookstoves within certain target customer segments #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A4(3/3): Grant-makers like Efficiency for Access can play a catalytic role in accelerating #energyacess by supporting R&D that drives efficiency and affordability gains. The PAYG sector is nascent, and much R&D is needed to reach millions more w/ clean energy #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A5(1/2): Good news is, solutions exist. Our PAYG fridge developed with Shell Foundation and Embraco enables safe medicine and food storage, reducing the burden for difficult journeys to purchase those items. What's needed is support to build awareness! #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A5(2/2): Our PAYG TV increases access to information and social connection. And our new PAYG smartphone increases access to a myriad of digital services. It is also proving to be a powerful business tool, allowing social networking for enterprise. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A6(1/3): Again, Efficiency for Access hit the nail on the head with the primary limitations. However, companies should not skimp out on any processes to reduce cost; inclusion paves the path for a solution. Engage prospective users early and often #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A6(2/3): Listening to the customer's voice is paramount. Their lives are complex and needs are cyclical, which affects their #EnergyAccess decisions. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

A6(3/3): Understanding secondary limitations: culture, household dynamics and more improves the final product and enables its users & communities to live better #InclusiveAppliancesChat

We would like to extend a warm thank you to our partners Solar Sister Power Africa @UNCDFCleanStart @Energia_org @CLASPappliances. Follow them to learn more about the work they're doing to advance #EnergyAccess, #GenderEquality & disability inclusion. #InclusiveAppliancesChat

Thank you Efficiency for Access for leading this discussion and to the fellow participants for sharing. Inclusive design and delivery remain critical and strong collaboration is key to unlock #energyaccess for many communities so keep in touch! #GenderEquality #InclusiveAppliancesChat