The World Bank Group says Papua New Guinea's new solar charging stations for mobile phones will give villagers entrepreneurial opportunities and allow people in remote areas to do business.
The International Finance Corporation, which is part of the World Bank, the New Zealand government and the phone operator, Digicel, are behind the project.
Its regional manager for the Pacific, Gavin Murray, says there may be more than 500 stations across rural areas by 2015, used by half a million to a million people.
Mr Murray says those in rural areas will be able to contact buyers and exporters more easily, check what stock is low at nearby markets and register their businesses online.
He says the installations will be owned by community members.
"The idea is for a local in the community to take charge of these installations and effectively to run them as a small business. So they would then charge a small fee for people to recharge their phones and in return they have responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the unit."
The IFC regional manager, Gavin Murray.
