Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/110333 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
Ruhr Economic Papers No. 555
Publisher: 
Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI), Essen
Abstract: 
The United Nations' objective to provide electricity to the 1.3 billion people without access in developing countries comes at high costs. Little evidence exists on socioeconomic impacts of electrification. This paper rigorously investigates effects of a large grid extension program in Rwanda on all rural beneficiary groups: households, microenterprises, health centers, and schools. While the program has led to a tremendous increase of connections, appliance uptake and electricity consumption remain low. We find only weak evidence for impacts on classical poverty indicators. To inform future policy design, we call for thorough cost-benefit comparison between on-grid and off-grid solutions.
Subjects: 
energy access
difference-in-differences
electrification
mixed-methods
Sub-Saharan Africa
JEL: 
O13
O18
Q41
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-3-86788-636-9
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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