Solar Home Lighting in Zambia

Africa renewable energy fund awards $1.6m to Azuri distributor in Zambia to deliver solar home lighting to 7,000 homes

09 August 2018, Lusaka, Zambia – Kazang Solar, Azuri Technologies’ official distribution partner in Zambia, has been awarded $1.6 million from the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) under its Renewable Energy and Climate Adaptation Technologies (REACT) window.

Azuri is a leading commercial provider of pay-as-you-go solar home systems to off-grid homes in Africa and has been working with Kazang in Zambia since 2016.

The investment will help Kazang Solar deliver affordable Azuri Quad solar home lighting products to more than 7,000 off-grid customers in rural Zambia.

Kazang Solar is one of only three companies to be awarded financial support from AECF REACT, funded by the UK Department for Internation Development (DFID).

Winners of the funding were announced at an event in Lusaka last week by DFID Minister for Africa, Harriet Baldwin MP. While in Zambia, Minister Baldwin and Minister Mathew Nkhuwa, Zambia’s Energy Minister, signed the Energy Africa Compact, a partnership between the UK and Zambian governments and the private sector to support the growth of the sustainable energy sector.

“We are delighted to be one of only three companies to be selected and look forward to bringing Azuri’s innovative solar technology to off-grid communities across Zambia,” said Kazang General Manager Chileshe Chilufya.

Kazang Solar is the sister company of Kazang, the largest provider of electronic vending services in Zambia. Kazang service more than 100,000 customers per day and have a nationwide footprint.

The unique partnership between Kazang, Kazang Solar and Azuri means that customers in traditionally underserved rural areas not only gain access to reliable solar-powered lighting but can also access for the first time a range of digital financial services.

“This is an exciting new development for Kazang and Azuri as both companies ramp up efforts to bring reliable solar home solutions to homes in Zambia,” said Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Azuri.

“The fund supports innovative and transformational business models which characterises the Azuri and Kazang approach. Azuri looks forward to working with and providing continued support to Kazang as they deliver life-changing solar technology to customers across the country.”

Azuri Quad solar home lighting system features Azuri’s award-winning HomeSmart™ technology with artificial intelligence that monitors weather conditions and learns customer usage patterns to adjust output to ensure a full night’s power.

The Azuri Quad solar home lighting system includes a 10W solar panel, four bright LED lights, USB port and connectors for mobile phone charging, rechargeable radio and rechargeable torch.

AzuriTV, the first PayGo solar TV system of its kind to be launched in Africa, features a 24-inch super slim LED TV, over 100 satellite TV channels, four bright LED lights for use inside and outside the home, mobile phone charging, rechargeable radio and rechargeable torch.

In 2018, AzuriTV was named ‘Innovative Technology of the Year’ at the annual Africa Utility Week Industry Awards, honouring pioneering projects and people in the industry.

Azuri Technologies was also named in this year’s FT 1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, listed in the Red Herring Top 100 Europe and was an Edison Award Silver Winner for innovations creating social impact.