Bboxx, a utility tackling the global energy poverty crisis, has officially entered in Nigeria to provide access to clean, affordable and reliable Solar Home Systems (SHS)
By launching in Nigeria, Bboxx’s largest market to date, the company aims to provide clean energy to 20 million people over 10 years. Ten thousand jobs will be created, spurring quality local green employment opportunities.
Operations have already successfully commenced in southwest Nigeria, with the first shop opening in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State and, over the course of the year, Bboxx will serve rural communities in other states including rural Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti.
Supporting rural communities will be a key focus, and Bboxx is targeting small business owners and market traders in particular. SMEs contribute 48% of national GDP, account for 96% of businesses and 84% of employment in Nigeria.
The launch of Bboxx Nigeria includes funding from BEAM, an investment platform focused on energy services helping to transform lives in emerging markets.
Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and co-founder of Bboxx, commented, “As the largest economy in Africa, it is hugely important that clean energy access is accelerated in Nigeria. This will positively transform people’s lives, powering inclusive and sustainable economic development. As the climate crisis gathers pace, we recognise that there is still a long way to go before we meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 – clean energy for all. This latest launch is definitely a step in the right direction and we have an ambitious pipeline ahead.
“The off-grid clean energy market in Nigeria has significant untapped potential. As we expand our operations in the country, we’re empowering thriving SMEs and communities to unlock economic potential through affordable energy access. With COP26 just around the corner, we would love to open further dialogue with those who share our mission, as we firmly believe in the importance of partnerships to deliver meaningful change.”
Florian Kemmerich, managing partner at Bamboo Capital Partners, said, “Scaling access to capital is absolutely fundamental to the success of the off-grid energy sector in Nigeria. By deploying and unlocking greater levels of capital, there’s a huge market opportunity to bring clean energy to the millions of people living without it. We’re looking forward to Bboxx ramping up operations to make an even greater impact on the sustainable development of SMEs.”
Bboxx’s Pay-As-You-Go SHS makes energy access much more affordable as people only pay for what they use. In the future, Bboxx will also launch their wider range of products and services in the country, like LPG clean cooking solutions, solar-powered water pumps for farmers, smartphones and more. Prior to this launch, Bboxx’s SHS products were already available in some parts of Nigeria through its successful collaboration with distribution partner Pan African Solar (PAS).
