In 2012, there remain 1.4 billion people without access to energy and 783 million without access to improved water resources. Mobile penetration in Africa is estimated to reach 76 per cent by 2014 and more people have access to a mobile phone than to energy and water. Mobile technologies have been identified as one potential area of innovation in support of improved water and energy services for the poor.

This report has been produced in response to an Evidence on Demand Help-Desk request. It supports a proposed DFID project business case to increase the flow of international carbon finance to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) – with a focus on Africa – to support poor peoples' access to clean energy.