Community sales agents bring clean energy closer to communities
Siki Ben, a sales agent from Kerwa, Yumbe district demonstrates how the solar water pump works
For many families living in refugee-hosting communities, access to clean and affordable energy remains a challenge.
Yet, through the work of community sales agents, clean energy solutions are increasingly reaching households, small farms, and small businesses in the refugee-hosting communities.
Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) work with community sales agents to promote and connect communities with clean energy technologies.
One of these agents is Siki Ben Isaiah who hails from Ambala Village in Midikita Parish, Kerwa Subcounty, Yumbe district.
Siki Ben Isaiah, a sales agent who hails from Ambala Village in Midikita Parish, Kerwa Subcounty, Yumbe district. He promotes clean energy technologies in this community
Before joining the SUSTAINED Project in March 2025, Siki served as a youth representative in his village, working closely with community members and advocating for young people.
Siki was selected alongside other community sales agents to participate in the project. They underwent training on clean energy technologies, project implementation, and community engagement.
Today, Siki works across communities in Kerwa Sub County in Omugo refugee settlement, connecting households and farmer groups to clean energy solutions that improve livelihoods and reduce dependence on traditional and unsustainable energy sources.
Siki Ben at Gale James' demonstration shop in Kerwa Market.
His work includes mobilising communities, sensitising and conducting awareness sessions, supporting financial literacy training, and providing after-sales support to the community members.
“We work closely with LC1 leaders, Refugee Welfare Councils and religious leaders. When there is a training coming up or awareness session, these leaders help mobilize people and share information through churches and community meetings”
Siki Ben says that his efforts contributed to the uptake of clean energy technologies. He has since sold 21 solar irrigation water pumps, 20 cookstoves, solar- deep freezers/fridges and 28 solar lanterns.
In Amuru Village, Ndaapi Parish, Omugo Sub-county in Terego District, Patrick Afema shares a similar story. Patrick has also sold five solar irrigation water pumps, and 70 other clean energy cook stoves in his area.
Since the project's inception, 32 community sales agents have been trained and linked with ESCOs and local communities.
Patrick says that awareness sessions go beyond simply promoting products. They focus on sensitising communities about the importance of these technologies in protecting the environment.
For instance, regarding clean cooking stoves, Patrick said, ‘we encouraged people not to depend too much on firewood since the stoves consume less firewood and help protect the environment,’
Many of these products in these communities have since become valuable tools for improving their farm productivity, reducing household expenses, and creating new income opportunities.
Farmers can grow crops during dry periods, small businesses can be competitive and preserve refreshments using solar-powered deep freezers while households can cook more efficiently while using less firewood.
The gains from the project
In addition to training, community-based sales agents receive facilitations and mobility tools to help them reach communities within their respective areas of operation. They also earn commissions from ESCOs based on product sales.
While clean energy products have made a difference in community livelihoods, the incentives have also changed the lives of the sales agents themselves.
“I was working in a bicycle and motorcycle spare parts business owned by someone else before. I started saving part of my stipend and commissions. With those savings, I rented my own shop where I sold cookstoves and solar lanterns”
The additional income enabled him to support his family, pay school fees for his children, and start a salon that generates income daily.
‘I wanted a business that could provide income every day and every week. I employ two people in the saloon," Siki says.
For Patrick, the impact went beyond selling and marketing energy products. Through his engagement with communities, he strengthened his leadership abilities, gained exposure, and developed the confidence needed to engage effectively with community members.
‘I built trust, community members elected me as the Parish Councillor for my parish. Later, fellow councillors at the sub-county level trusted me to be their Speaker at Ndwapi Sub-county,’ Patrick smiles as he narrates.
While both Siki and Patrick appreciate the monthly stipends, they prefer commissions because they offer greater and sustainable earning potential.
“Both commission and stipend are helpful. The stipend supports me regularly, while commissions provide additional earnings when I make sales. However, I would choose the commission because it depends on performance. The more products you sell, the more you earn. For example, if you sold 100 pumps, you would earn commission on all 100 pumps”
Banduru Vincent and Morish are setting up the water solar pump. Vicent was mobilised by Patrick to get the pump at the subsidized price
The impact of flexible financing
Flexible and access to financing facilitated the growing adoption of clean energy technologies. Many households cannot afford to pay the full cost of products upfront.
To address this challenge, the project works with different financing partners such as Vision Fund to make products more accessible. As of June 2026, 58 individuals had purchased the products using loans.
Solar irrigation water pumps are financed through Vision Fund, while clean cookstoves are often accessed through savings groups and financing arrangements facilitated by Vision Fund.
Deep freezers and some solar products are available through Pay-As-You-Go systems, allowing customers to make affordable weekly payments.
Financing has been essential for expanding access, particularly for farmers purchasing solar irrigation pumps.
"Most of the irrigation pumps I sold were purchased through financing. Without credit, many farmers would not have been able to access the technology."
Christine Onzia, a sales agent shows part of the remaining pountry project she got from commissions and stipend from the SUSTAINED project
Overcoming misinformation and barriers
Despite growing demand, introducing new technologies has not always been easy. Community perceptions often change once members who use the products begin sharing positive experiences.
Affordability remains another major challenge, particularly for refugees and vulnerable households.
"Some families want the products but cannot raise the required funds. For refugees, the challenges can be even greater because they often have limited income and may lack some of the documents or guarantees required for financing."
In Kerwa subcounty, Siki notes that most of his customers come from the host community. Out of the 21 solar irrigation pumps he sold, only one was purchased by a refugee.
However, refugee participation was higher for other products. About 10 of the 20 cookstoves were sold to refugees, while four of the seven deep freezers were purchased by refugees, highlighting the financing challenges refugees face.
For products such as refrigerators, Patrick explains that financing companies often require collateral, guarantors, proof of land ownership, or similar documentation. Refugees may have houses but not own the land on which they are built, making it difficult for them to qualify.
“I would recommend that both refugees and nationals be allowed to access products using their respective IDs. A recommendation letter from local leaders, such as an LC1 chairperson, could also help simplify the process”
Eunice with Ceaser Danger, a sales agent at her demonstration shop in Omugo Refugee settlement. When the freezer gets an issue, Eunice calls Ceaser and he reports to ESCOs for repair
Suitability and work beyond the project
When the project comes to end, Siki believes the demand for clean energy technologies will continue to grow because communities have already appreciated their benefits.
Siki Ben says that "People regularly ask me about solar pumps and deep freezers. Some customers who already purchased products are now interested in larger models."
“By August 2026, the sales agents had registered referrals/ product requests for 32 for solar irrigation pumps and 23 for deep freezers from the demo sites.”
His relationship with customers often continues long after a sale has been completed.
"If someone forgets how to use a solar irrigation pump or experiences a problem, they call me. I can visit and help them. This support builds trust and helps people continue using the products effectively." Siki Ben says.
Looking ahead, Siki hopes more households will gain access to clean energy technologies and would like to see additional innovations brought back into the community.
"I would like to see the project continue so that more people can benefit," he says. "I would also like to see the return of solar-powered grain milling machines. Many community members were excited about them because they could help process cassava, maize, and other crops locally."
For Siki Ben, the Sustain Project has been about far more than product sales. It has created opportunities for families, empowered entrepreneurs, and demonstrated how clean energy can transform lives.
About the project
SUpporting STronger Access to INnovative Energy Solutions in Displacement Settings (SUSTAINED) project is a collaborative programme between CARE, Mercy Corps and Oxfam that started in October 2024. The vision for SUSTAINED is to create a sustainable marketplace for clean energy products and services for displaced people and their host communities, starting with refugee camps in Uganda