・Policy makers should also consider the symbolic value of grid electrification to end users. Even when customers newly connected to the grid do not use substantially more power than their counterparts relying on off-grid technologies, they may nonetheless feel more "connected." It may be possible to augment the symbolic value of DES, e.g. by bundling in cellular communications technology.
・The current conduct of development assistance in energy (e.g. tied aid, ineffective subsidization, and one-off demonstrations projects) needs to be reconsidered. A stronger emphasis should be placed on the importance of increasing access to capital, enterprise development, technical capacity building (both human and systems), and service and maintenance infrastructure. Alternative financing structures, such as micro-credit schemes and financial intermediaries that connect entrepreneurs and donors need greater development in Africa.
・It is also important to reduce information barriers and increase public knowledge levels to ensure informed decision-making. In particular, developing appropriate certification systems and/or standards (national or international) for DES systems may help protect customers from inferior goods-though realistic field testing, adequate local feedback and publicization of certification rules and/or enforcement of standards is essential.
・Stakeholders in energy provision should be encouraged to promote energy efficient technologies through appropriate structures.
・Depoliticization of the energy sector is a critical priority given the tendency of corruption and political favoritism to disrupt DES programs (e.g. when subsidies are allocated in a biased and inefficient fashion).
・Local environmental benefits are not a primary driver for adopting DES, though they can be important, especially for grid-connected technologies such as energy efficient equipment and large-scale distributed renewables installations. The global (e.g. carbon abatement) benefits of on-grid DES are also important and, though modest, carbon abatement credits generated by off-grid DES technologies (for example, under the emerging Clean Development Mechanism) may ultimately provide a significant source of funding for these DES projects. In particular, the value of any carbon credits generated by DES efforts could be used to reduce DES prices and thereby encourage broader penetration of clean DES technologies.
