Global launch of the State of the Sector 2025 report (webinar recording)
What does the future of last mile distribution (LMD) look like and how do we get there?
This webinar happened on 18th September at 2pm EAT, where we unpacked fresh data on business trends in the LMD sector, product reach, and customer impact. We also explored key challenges and opportunities faced by GDC members, as well as recommendations for stakeholders looking to work more closely with distributors.
This interactive session features a presentation from the GDC team as well as firsthand insights from GDC members and sector experts. After the plenary session concludes (at the 60-minute mark) we dispersed into optional breakout group discussions to engage informally on topics including consumer financing, small ticket debt, technical assistance, and enhancing LMD profitability.
Session overview
- Unpack fresh data on business trends in the LMD sector, product reach, and customer impact
- Explore key challenges and opportunities faced by GDC members
- Recommendations for stakeholders
- Optional thematic breakout group discussions
Speakers (GDC team)
- Jessica Utichi, Head of the GDC
- May Joy Namulembwa, GDC Senior Membership Engagement Officer
- Synthia Ontita, GDC Senior Programme Officer
- Ambrose Mbuvi, GDC Innovation and Acceleration Specialist – based at Bopinc
- Davinia Cogan, GDC Access to Finance Lead
Speakers (GDC members)
- Habiba Ali, CEO/MD of SOSAI Renewable Energies Company
- Kudzanai Chitiva, CEO of Natfort Energy
- Joyce Sikwese, Co-founder and Country Manager, Green Impact Technologies
Breakout room facilitators
- Ambrose Mbuvi (GDC Innovation and Acceleration Specialist) and Lucie Klarsfeld McGrath (Partner at Hystra) ➡️ Enhancing LMD profitability.
- Gopika Shibu (RVO Program Advisor) and Davinia Cogan (GDC Access to Finance Lead) ➡️ Small ticket debt funding.
- Divya Balakrishnan (Senior Advisor GET.invest) and Charlie Miller (Former GDC Senior Advisor) ➡️ Technical assistance (TA).
- Willem Nolens (Co-founder & Managing Director, PAYGo Labs) and Jessica Utichi (Head of the GDC) ➡️ Consumer financing.
The report shall be available in the coming days. If you would like to be included in our distribution list, please subscribe to our newsletter here, or email us at gdc@practicalaction.org.uk.
The GDC Last Mile Distribution: State of the sector 2025 is funded by UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform.
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