Econet has launched a solar power device called the Econet HomePowerStation.
HomePowerStation is designed to help light up rural areas in Zimbabwe and other areas in Africa best by erratic power supply problems.
The device will also allow customers to charge their mobile phones and utilise energy at a relatively inexpensive cost compared to current solar energy devices available in Africa. There will also be an opportunity for customers to pay for their energy use on a pre-paid basis, in much the same way as airtime is purchased for mobile phones in Africa.
Econet Founder Strive Masiyiwa says the device will contain a typical Econet mobile Sim card that will enable it to link up with the cellular network, thereby making it possible for the customer to pre-pay for energy usage. Econet Solar CEO Marco Signorini said, "In markets where Econet does not operate a network, we are licensing other operators to offer the service using our solution."
Wallace Mawire
