10. Fundamental Considerations Figure 1. Roles of Respective Stakeholders throughout the Project Life Cycle (diagram by authors)
Power The electrification of Senegal primarily depends on micro off-grid systems. In Senegal, only 50% of the population has access to electricity (Lighting Africa, 2018). In rural areas, the electrification rate is only 25% (Lighting Africa, 2018). It is worth noting that even though the electrification rate is relatively low in the community, smartphones have still been popularised in Senegal. In 2019, there were 109.72 mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in Senegal (O'Dea, 2020).
Charging mobile phones can be difficult where grid power does not exist. In the Senegalese village of Yeuma, before introducing micro solar charging stations, the community would travel to neighbouring villages to charge phones at the schools (Little Sun, n.d.). Based on photographic evidence and knowledge of the local power grid, the status quo in Baghere is assumed to be similar. Therefore, it is fundamental that the Women's House project concentrates on providing micro solar lighting and charging. Concentrating on low-tech micro electrification offers both the most significant financial cost-benefit to both the construction budget and the ongoing maintenance budget. Moreover, it provides residents of Bahere with a vital recharging and lighting resource.
Figure 2. Statistics showing increasing amount of mobile phone users within Senegal from 2000-2019 (Statista, 2021
