A recently published study sheds light on how political influence affects the distribution of public resources, specifically focusing on Northern Bangladesh's TR/Kabita solar home system program.
Co-authored by Duke University researcher Rafia Zaman (SETI fellow) and University of Graz researcher Stefan Borsky, the investigation is titled Solar power play: Uncovering political capture in distributing electricity access. It is the culmination of several years of dedicated research and builds upon earlier work examining market-based solar programs. The focus of this study is on understanding how political actors influence the on-the-ground allocation of public resources.
"The idea for this research emerged in early 2022, shortly after we finished a study of a predecessor program that was market-based," explains Rafia Zaman. "Building on those insights, my coauthor, Stefan Borsky, and I became interested in understanding how political actors influence the allocation of public resources on the ground, particularly in the solar home system program known as TR/Kabita."
The TR/Kabita solar safety net program, which distributed over a million off-grid systems before its conclusion in 2021, served as the primary case study. They found that there is a need for better mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution in development programs aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (universal energy access).
Expanding the Analysis
A significant follow-up study is already in the works, aiming to expand the analysis of off-grid solar systems to a nationwide scale or at least across three major divisions in Bangladesh. This next phase involves preparing and processing a massive dataset covering over 15,000 villages. They are also discussing with IDCOL, the implementing agency, accessing countrywide solar installation data.
"We aim to explore the issue of local distribution. We strive to investigate who receives solar systems over time and whether energy resources are fairly distributed across villages that differ in their socio-economic development and political contexts,” she stated.
Furthermore, the researchers plan to investigate the impact of these distributional patterns on broader community development outcomes once the 2023 Population Census data becomes available. Another important aspect will be understanding villagers' perceptions of these allocation processes and how those affect their trust in public institutions. A large-scale empirical survey is planned to study that.
Transparency and audits are needed
Rafia Zaman emphasizes that target-based "energy poverty mapping" involves setting clear, transparent criteria for eligibility, such as households without reliable electricity, to minimize political manipulation. Accountability is also key, with suggestions for periodic "policy audits" of local politicians and the involvement of community representatives in "community-led monitoring." Publicly disclosing beneficiary lists and establishing local grievance redress systems are also crucial for transparency and fairness.
For national and international oversight bodies, the study recommends establishing stronger systems for transparency and regular audits that go beyond technical performance to assess effective community reach.
"Equity benchmarks need to be context-sensitive," she explains. "What’s fair in a remote, off-grid village won’t be the same as what’s fair in a peri-urban area with partial grid coverage. Oversight bodies should work with local data to design allocation rules that reflect real needs on the ground."
International development partners can play a vital role by promoting flexible, equity-linked funding models, encouraging independent audits, and assisting in designing systems to identify anomalies in resource distribution.
Thoughtful design and long-term engagement
Rafia Zaman concludes with a powerful takeaway: "Even well-intentioned programs can be influenced by local political incentives, particularly when distribution occurs without proper checks and balances. If we want energy access and other basic services to reach the underserved truly, we need systems that not only deliver but also listen."
This requires the participation of marginalized communities in planning and decision-making. Research also calls for a more careful approach to the design of development interventions, considering not only who receives support, but also how much, for how long, and through which delivery system.
These efforts must be long-term and build trust to guide social safety net programs vulnerable to non-programmatic, discretionary local distribution through genuine collaboration with communities and local leaders.
By Belén Pulgar.