Koolboks solar freezers will be marketed in the Democratic Republic of Congo then the 11 other countries where Orange Energies is deployed
Orange has signed a strategic partnership with start-up Koolboks to provide freezing and refrigeration solutions in 12 African countries.
The Koolboks will be distributed through the Orange Energies which offer households that are not connected to the electricity grid solar-energy solutions on a pay-as-you-go basis. This is handled via its digital platform, Orange Smart Energies, which was launched five years ago to offer energy solutions.
Some 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity; this partnership aims to make essential services accessible to as many people as possible.
Personal and professional use
Koolboks offers refrigerators and freezers for professionals and individuals’ use, equipped with solar panels and batteries to provide up to three days’ service. The solar equipment includes LED bulbs to bring lighting and USB ports, so that various electronic devices can be charged.
This product enable families to generate additional income by opening small businesses, such as local shops or hairdressers. The plan is to contribute to the economic development of communities.
Koolboks solar freezers will be first marketed in the Democratic Republic of Congo then the 11 other countries where Orange Energies is deployed shortly afterwards*.
The split payments mean that thousands of families will be able to use Orange Money over their mobile phones to pay for the service and become owners of solar installations and the equipment connected to them.
Income-generating activities
Through this partnership, Orange will become the first telco operator to sign an agreement of this scale contributing to the development of income-generating activities (AGR) in rural areas through clean electrification solutions.
Such solutions are aligned with the seventh goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development objectives.
Nat-Sy Missamou, Senior Vice President Africa and Middle East at Orange Energies,said, “This partnership marks…a new phase in which our ambition, after giving access to essential services, is to allow families to take control of the development of their communities. This partnership marks the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.”
Ayoola Dominic, Founder, and CEO of Koolboks, added, “This product was designed to meet a need, and allow small traders, families to store food and have light in off-grid areas. With this partnership, we will be able to offer this luxury in many countries and regions simultaneously.”
*Orange Energies is present in 12 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone and plans to launch its activities in two new countries by 2024.