What the client needed
To expand rural electrification in Zambia, Columbia World Projects, Columbia University's Quadracci Sustainable Engineering Lab and ICAP Zambia, with funding from Sustainable Energy for All, needed to choose mini-grid sites and designs that were both technically viable and responsive to community needs.
That required robust, field-level data on energy use, businesses, services and farming from 95 priority locations in Southern and Eastern provinces, including drought-affected areas where irrigation could transform livelihoods.
How M31 Research delivered
M31 Research led field implementation from start to finish: government engagement, logistics, and the recruitment, training and deployment of enumerators. Our teams surveyed households, businesses, schools, health centres and farms, and carried out technical assessments such as pole inventories and mini-grid site mapping, with a focus on productive use of energy and irrigation potential.
Quantitative surveys were combined with focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Data was collected on mobile devices, with rigorous daily quality checks, weekly progress updates and systematic data cleaning.
What we delivered
- Engagement with local authorities and stakeholders
- Energy audits and site surveys
- Pole inventories and mini-grid site mapping
- Focus group discussions with farmers and local leaders
- Real-time quality assurance and weekly reporting
- Data analysis, reporting and presentation of findings
What changed for the client
The assignment gave mini-grid developers and policymakers actionable insights, revealing challenges such as the affordability of connections, infrastructure gaps and drought-affected irrigation potential, alongside promising opportunities for productive energy use in rural Zambia. The data and analysis now support national electrification planning through the Rural Electrification Authority and the Presidential Delivery Unit.
Key findings and outcomes
- Evidence to guide mini-grid site selection and design
- A clear view of affordability and infrastructure barriers
- Data now used by the Rural Electrification Authority and the Presidential Delivery Unit
