THE RDG VISION
RDG’s vision is to Empower the Future by facilitating economic and social development through access to clean energy systems, appliances, and financial inclusion.
Founded in April 2018, RDG was born with the sole ambition to ‘Empower the Future’, by providing affordable access to life changing Clean Energy Systems and appliances.
With the cost of these products remaining prohibitively high for almost all off-grid households, RDG provides its products on a PAY-AS-YOU-GO (PAYG) Basis. This enables the customer to spread their payments over an extended period, rather than paying cash up front. By eliminating this ‘barrier’, households across Zambia can access RDG Refrigerators, Solar Water Pumps, Smartphones and Solar Home systems (SHS) to improve and empower their lives. Households that were previously forgotten, are now on the frontier of an exciting new market opportunity.
Finally, RDG seeks to Empower its people. Giving an opportunity to hardworking and talented individuals, who not only enable the success of RDG, but promote and facilitate development in communities throughout Zambia.
CORE VALUES
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
To lead by example means to guide and inspire others through your behavior instead of your words.
ACCOUNTABILITY
An obligation to accept responsibility for your actions and decisions no matter the result
INTEGRITY
Is the act of behaving honorably, even when no one is watching. People with integrity follow moral and ethical principles in all aspects of life, such as decision-making, interacting with colleagues and serving customers.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Going out of your way to solve problems and provide the best products and services to customers and colleagues.
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
It's an attitude that actively seeks out change, rather than waiting to adapt to change. The mindset to embrace critical questioning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
PROFESSIONALISM AND RESPECT
Being punctual, dressing professionally, becoming an expert in your job, practicing basic manners and being respectful to all.
THE MARKET & OPPORTUNITY
The off-grid Solar sector currently generates $1.7billion in annual revenues, with more than 840million people still without access to electricity, representing a significant opportunity for further growth.
In Zambia, it is estimated that almost 2.4million households lack access to electricity. These customers lack access to not only electricity, but also to affordable appliances. By providing PAYG ‘credit’, SHS and appliances can and will transform the fortunes of households throughout Zambia and beyond. Below are key findings of the impact this has had across the world:
- SHS customers can generate additional income from using their SHS.
- SHS customers have more money available because of savings and income generated from their SHS.
- SHS customers report an improved quality of life.
- SHS customers report their children can do homework thanks to Solar lighting
WHERE WE ARE GOING
Having already built a strong foundation in Zambia, RDG is looking to significantly scale up its operations in the coming 5 years to improve the lives of over 171,000 people. This will be achieved by upgrading existing shops, opening up of new areas, growing the number of Sales Agents, providing more vehicles to rural Sales teams so they can reach more customers, and upgrading customer services to provide an unbeatable experience. In addition to these changes, RDG will be introducing the following products:
- PAYG Solar Water Pumps
- PAYG Refrigerators
- PAYG Smartphones
- Larger SHS
- Larger Solar TVs
- Financial Services
This direction represents RDG’s pursuit to become Zambia’s leading company in providing high quality and affordable products that improve and empower the lives of many.
The success of RDG will ultimately be measured by how many lives are positively impacted, from agents to customers.
HOW WE WILL SUCCEED
- Investing in RDG People – Providing the necessary tools, training and opportunities so that each person can fulfill their potential.
- Investing in Customers – Providing an unbeatable customer experience from the moment the customer calls or walks into a shop.
- Disruptive mentality – Being fearless in pursuing the ‘impossible’, pushing into new frontiers.
- Problem solving – Being committed to finding solutions each time a problem is encountered, illustrating high level of resourcefulness.
- Working Hard – The key to any success is hard work. Working side by side, RDG Teams will succeed with a high degree of determination and motivation.
RDG SALES SYSTEM
RDG operates with a network of Sales agents located across rural and urban areas. The Sales agents are tasked with visiting communities and households, demonstrating the benefits of RDGs range of Solar powered products. RDG also operates Service centers in provincial towns, helping to support Sales agents and offering customers an opportunity to visit RDG.
RDG products are available on both cash and PAY-AS-YOU-GO (PAYG) basis. Customers can apply to receive a product loan and be approved within 5 minutes. Once approved, the customer makes a small initial deposit to receive the items. Thereafter, the customer makes daily, weekly or monthly PAYG repayments to receive a ‘Power Keycode’, which is entered into the battery system. Once entered, the battery will remain on until the keycode has expired. Customers continue to make repayments until the pre-agreed loan total has been paid off. Once fully paid off, the system becomes permanently unlocked, allowing the customer to enjoy unlimited usage of the product.