Under the terms of the agreement, EDF holds a 50% stake in BBOXX Togo. In addition to the investment needed to speed up solar home systems deployment, EDF will also provide its technical know-how to improve battery performance.
The company has been actively strengthening in this area, as part of its Electricity Storage Plan, as it aims to develop storage capacity of 10GW around the world by 2035. EDF stated that its R&D department will also test and certify solar kit components.
BBOXX CEO and co-founder Mansoor Hamayun said: “Our latest deal with EDF symbolises the first stepping stone in a strong strategic partnership. It will see us work together to bring smart and sustainable energy solutions and other vital utilities and value-added services to the underserved.
“Working with global partners like EDF shows our commitment to scaling up, mobilising greater investment, generating meaningful impact and powering the economic development of some of the world’s least developed communities.”
The combination of EDF and BBOXX is expected to provide reliable, affordable and CO2-free contribution to Togo Government’s electrification programme, known as ‘CIZO’, which aims to supply over five hundred thousand people with solar home systems by 2030.
EDF stated that it will use its commercial resources and its experience in developing off-grid solutions in several African countries to the joint venture. The company has started operating in Ghana and has also begun in the market of solar pump irrigation solutions for farmers in Kenya.
The partners are aiming for a market share of 35% in Togo by 2024 and are planning to work together across other African countries.
EDF Africa and Middle East senior vice-president Valerie Levkov said: “By teaming up with BBOXX in Togo, the EDF Group has embarked on a new stage of development of its off-grid activities in Africa, which has been constantly speeded up since our Ivory Coast subsidiary, Zeci, was set up less than two years ago.
“We are proud to work with a partner like BBOXX, which shares our commitment to low carbon energies. The partnership that has just been set up fits in with the EDF strategy CAP 2030, whose main purpose is to triple our activities outside Europe.”
Operating in the Togolese market since last year, BBOXX has been a key partner in the CIZO programme and is claimed to have supplied electricity to 26,000 Togolese people.
