What Is RBF (Results-Based Financing)?
Results-Based Financing is a funding model in which a government agency, development bank, or donor disburses money to a supplier after a verified sale has taken place — not before. The subsidy is tied to a measurable outcome (the sale and use of a qualifying solar product), rather than being paid as a blanket grant upfront.
In practical terms, this means the supplier receives the subsidy from the government and passes it on as a lower shelf price. As a buyer, you never see the subsidy as a cash transfer or voucher — you simply pay less for an eligible product. There is no separate application process for buyers.
The Two Main Programmes in Uganda
UECCC — Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company
UECCC is a government-owned entity mandated to catalyse investment in Uganda's energy sector. Its RBF programmes focus primarily on:
- Solar Home Systems (SHS) — standalone systems for residential lighting and small appliance use.
- Solar water heaters for institutions and households.
- Small solar systems for productive use (milling, charging stations).
Subsidies under UECCC programmes typically reduce the retail price by 20–40% depending on the tier of system. The highest subsidies go to the smallest, most affordable systems to maximise reach among low-income households.
EASP — Electricity Access Scale-Up Project
EASP is a World Bank-financed programme targeting productive-use solar in underserved and rural districts. Priority categories include:
- Solar water pumps for smallholder irrigation and water supply.
- Solar agro-processing equipment (milling, drying, refrigeration).
- Institutional solar installations (schools, health centres, community facilities).
EASP subsidies are typically larger in absolute UGX terms because the systems are larger, but the eligibility criteria are also more specific — designed for productive enterprise rather than pure household use.
How the Subsidy Appears at Point of Sale
Unlike a cashback scheme or a government voucher, RBF subsidies in Uganda are embedded in the product price. The supplier has already received (or will receive) the subsidy from the programme for each qualifying unit sold. What you pay is the consumer price after subsidy. You do not need to:
- Apply to a government office.
- Fill in any subsidy claim form.
- Provide an income certificate or residence proof.
You simply buy the product from an accredited seller and you automatically benefit from the lower price.
Which Products and Districts Are Eligible?
Eligibility is defined by the programme and product tier, not individual buyer income. In general:
- Eligible categories: Solar home systems (Tier 1–4), solar water heaters, solar pumps, and in some programmes, complete off-grid systems up to a certain capacity.
- Eligible districts: UECCC programmes prioritise districts with grid electrification rates below the national average — this includes most of northern Uganda (Gulu, Lira, Kitgum, Kotido), north-eastern (Moroto, Nakapiripirit), and parts of western Uganda (Kasese, Bundibugyo). Specific district lists are programme-cycle dependent.
- Eligible beneficiaries: Rural households, smallholder farmers, small and medium enterprises, schools, and health facilities. Urban Kampala purchases generally do not qualify, but Kampala-area suppliers may sell subsidised products for deployment in qualifying districts.
How to Find Subsidy-Eligible Products on SolarMarket
Products available under active RBF programmes are tagged with a "Subsidy" label on SolarMarket. You can browse all subsidy-eligible offers at /financing/rbf. The displayed price is already the subsidised consumer price — no further discount is available at checkout, and no code is required.
If you are not sure whether a specific product qualifies, you can submit an RFQ at /rfq/create and ask suppliers to indicate whether RBF pricing applies in your district.
