Clean Technology and Microfinance at Kiva Zip in Kenya

The Kiva Zip model, based on direct crowd funding from a lender to a borrower through a trustee, supports several key players in the clean technology sector.

Borrowers have access to 0% interest capital to acquire clean cookstoves, solar lamps, solar pumps or bio-digesters, setting themselves as successful entrepreneurs, developing their businesses, generating income and most importantly providing education to their children.

While lenders from around the world provide the capital, the trustees provide a range of training, mentorship and professional services to the borrowers, equipping them with the necessary skills to successfully manage a business.

These following trustees work with Kiva Zip in Kenya and have an outstanding commitment to lifting communities out of poverty through technology.

GVEP – Global Village Energy Partnerships
GVEP's mission is to increase access to affordable renewable energy sources and services in rural and peri-urban areas of developing countries and promote social, economic development and environmental sustainability through building capacity, providing mentorship, business development services as well as market development.

EcoZoom
EcoZoom is a social enterprise that makes ecological products designed to transform lives. EcoZoom believes that people of any economic status should have access to beautifully designed products – like cookstoves, solar lights and water filters, that will improve their health, income, and environment.

Skynotch Energy Africa
Skynotch Energy Africa is developing a solar pico systems value chain with small entrepreneurs who have limited capital. Skynotch aims to provide access to clean and efficient energy technologies through a sustainable value chain while creating wealth and employment at the local level.

Renewable World
Renewable World makes a unique and meaningful contribution to the sustainable development for the 1.6 billion people without access to reliable electricity, through the provision of renewable energy, infrastructure, knowledge and skills.

Takamoto Biogas
Takamoto is a biogas utility company that works to improve the lives of rural farmers in Kenya by providing affordable, clean, renewable energy through their product, Takamoto Pay-as-you-go Biogas.

For more information, please visit www.zip.kiva.org.