Kiva and Fenix International have mutually agreed to end their partnership. Kiva funding is no longer the best fit for Fenix International's work. Over the course of the partnership, Fenix International made payments on time and has been a strong and reliable Lending Partner. We thank them for their collaboration and hope to work with them again in the future.



Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

Partner Description:

Fenix International is a for-profit social enterprise that designs, manufactures and sells affordable electricity generation and energy storage solutions for off-grid use in developing countries.Their flagship product is the ReadySet device: a small, portable energy system that can power lights, radios, mobile phones, and even medical applications.  By designing innovative, affordable products, Fenix aims to enable entrepreneurs to sell life-changing and sustainable energy to their communities.

The ReadySet helps Fenix achieve its primary goal of providing a flexible solution to energy poverty, particularly in Africa. Not only does it offer a power generation and storage option, it also allows customers to generate additional income by charging others’ mobile phones or allowing ReadySet owners to work longer hours at night.  By powering mobile phones, as well as rechargeable lanterns and torches, for a small fee (typically USD 0.25-0.50), ReadySet owners can generate substantial new income.

Field studies in collaboration with the Grameen Foundation have shown the cost of the $150 system can be earned back in as little as 3 months and continue to produce profits for the entrepreneur with zero maintenance. Access to local, sustainable electricity increases access to information via mobile communications, mobile banking and also offers clean lighting options to replace dirty, dangerous and costly kerosene lighting.

Fenix has developed 2 products that will be funded on Kiva which allow them to increase their distribution and sales of ReadySet devices:

1) Loans to SAACOs (Savings and Credit Cooperatives), for the upfront, bulk purchase of Readyset devices.

2) Loans to companies in order for their employees to purchase Readyset devices.

Both loan products allow Fenix to expand its distribution and experiment with new ways of getting light and electricity in the hands of those that need it. Fenix’s overarching goal is to reduce energy poverty. Its approach with ReadySet helps customers leapfrog existing infrastructure, generate clean power and earn new income.

With 600 million off-the-grid phone subscribers currently paying for charging, there’s a pressing need for affordable, environmentally-friendly solutions. Further, today, 1.5 billion people around the world lack electricity. Kerosene has become the standard for lighting and heating, but is problematic for economic, environmental and health reasons. Every year, millions of people -- mostly women and girls -- suffer from kerosene-related respiratory problems and burns. And its expensive, often consuming up to 30% of household expenses for low-income families. Charging technology like ReadySet could help replace kerosene with battery-powered lanterns.

To tap the East African market, Fenix has already had initial success testing its product in the field. Through a partnership with Grameen AppLab, an organization that delivers digital products and services via smartphones to rural communities, they have deployed over 500 units across rural Uganda for use as phone charging stations. Initial feedback from the field has been very positive, and the ReadySet has proven to be a clean, cheap alternative to using car batteries for power generation and storage.