Knowledge sharing in e-commerce and repair services to drive new last mile innovations
This year we’ve been driving impact at the last mile by supporting our members to get access to proven innovation skills in e-commerce and last mile repair.
Innovation trailblazers SolarAid and Frontier Markets have shared their respective technical skills in solar repair services and e-commerce business models with last mile distributors as part of our new innovation launchpad.
Initiated in June, the knowledge sharing project brings together leading last mile distributors with companies that want to adopt new business ideas. The adopters have received technical assistance and grant funding to help pilot the innovations, while leading trailblazers have received grant funding and support from the Global Distributors Collective (GDC) to share their expertise and best practice.
Reducing e-waste with last mile repair
Investing in innovation can help distributors unlock new market opportunities, captivate prospective investors, adjust to unforeseen challenges, and continuously enhance their services. Yet, going it alone can be filled with risks and costs-related challenges.
In the field of last mile repair services, Zambia-based trailblazer SolarAid is collaborating with adopters Kukula Solar (Zambia), Natfort Energy (Zimbabwe) and Nyalore Impact (Kenya). These companies are leading efforts to implement repair business models in order to extend the lifespan of beneficial products like solar lights and also combat e-waste.
The companies met for an in-person workshop at the SolarAid offices in August. “We were taught how to repair solar panels, lights and various devices,” said Daniel Mwale from Kukula Solar. “It was a great training and we are very positive that when we go back home we will have an impact on the solar lights that are not working and contribute to better e-waste management and environmental preservation.”
Similarly, Charles Mwangi, a technician at Nyalore Impact, expressed that the training sparked numerous ideas for repairing electronics at their company. “The business model we learned will guide us in structuring our electrical hub and training future technicians,” he said.
Supporting women entrepreneurs through e-commerce
Meanwhile in e-commerce, India-based trailblazer and GDC member Frontier Markets is working with adopters Rafode Ltd (Kenya), Uplinx Energy (Nigeria) and Zonful Energy (Zimbabwe).
In October, Frontier Markets shared their unique business approach that works with digitally skilled rural women influencers – called Sahelis – to showcase products, assist with e-commerce purchases, and collect rich insights on customer demands and needs.
After meeting with Frontier Markets in India, the innovation adopters now plan to implement an agent-assisted e-commerce business model to enhance efficiency and reach underserved communities with impactful products such as solar lights, solar irrigation systems, clean cookstoves, and microloan financial services.
Florence Odida, finance manager at Rafode Ltd, reported that she enjoyed the practical nature of the visit, which included meeting women entrepreneurs. She says the Saheli business model is innovative because the women entrepreneurs already have established retail businesses within their communities. They interact with a mobile app where community members can place orders online after discussing the products with a Saheli.
“E-commerce is essential for us because it will allow us to showcase a wider range of products simultaneously,” said Florence. “We currently offer many products but have limitations in how we can display them. By embracing e-commerce, a sales agent or business development officer can effectively showcase all our products to potential customers and assist them in placing orders.”
Putting shared knowledge into practice
Since the adopters returned to their home countries the GDC has been facilitating a six-month mentorship and coaching programme between the trailblazers and adopters. Through one-on-one peer-to-peer learning sessions the companies are receiving direct support to roll out their innovations.
The innovation launchpad builds on our previous learning about how to effectively diffuse innovation in the last mile sector by empowering our members to adopt and adapt innovations that have already been successfully delivered by other members.
“The funds we received have enabled us to attend in-person training in India and we are now in the process of developing a mobile application to propel the project,” said Florence.
In 2025 we’re hoping to launch another innovation launchpad, giving more last mile distributors the chance to learn new skills from other members that are leading the way.
In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about the trailblazers, watch these videos from SolarAid and Frontier Markets.
The Global Distributors Collective Innovation Launchpad is funded with UK aid from the UK government, via the Transforming Energy Access platform.