Bboxx has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London
The partnership aims to bring affordable, reliable and clean electricity to 10 million citizens – the equivalent to 10 per cent of the population – in the DRC by 2024.
The agreement was signed by Eustache Muhanzi Mubembe, DRC’s Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity and co-founder and COO of Bboxx - a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar company - Laurent Van Houcke at the summit in London on 21 January.
The MoU builds on Bboxx’s ongoing work in the country where it has already provided 200,000 people with access to electricity, transforming lives and unlocking potential.
Access to electricity will trigger wider economic growth in the DRC, while helping to advance the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Delivering reliable, affordable energy (SDG 7), will drive the creation of 100,000 jobs and promote sustained, inclusive economic growth (SDG 8) as well as offset four million tonnes of CO2e emissions to help combat climate change (SDG 13).
Recognising that traditional grid infrastructure is not a viable solution in rural and peri-urban areas of the DRC, President Tshisekedi declared, "With the DRC’s growing population, new grid connections are needed each year to keep the electrification rate constant. My ambition is to use decentralised and renewable energy solutions as a foundation to improve the country’s electrification rate from 9 per cent to 30 per cent during my presidency."
Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-founder, Bboxx said,"It’s very encouraging to see the DRC’s ambitious vision to use the latest technology to improve the country’s energy access and to drive economic development. Bboxx has already had a tangible impact in the country and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with the government to continue to transform more lives. This agreement will be the key to unlocking the potential of underserved communities and to ensure a successful socio-economic impact on the Congolese population."
Bboxx, a next generation utility, is a British company that manufactures, distributes and finances decentralised solar powered systems in developing countries.
