Orange and Koolboks partner to bring solar freezers to Africa

A committed multi-service operator, Orange signs a strategic partnership with the startup Koolboks in order to provide freezing and refrigeration solutions, through a single piece of equipment, in 12 African countries. Carried within its new Orange Energies activity, whose ambition is to make digital a lever for energy inclusion.

On a continent where 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity, Orange Energies, launched 5 years ago to facilitate access to electricity through digital technology, continues to innovate with this partnership aimed at to make essential services accessible to as many people as possible. Koolboks provides professionals and individuals with a refrigerator that can also be used in freezing mode, equipped with solar panels and batteries ensuring up to three days of total autonomy. The solar equipment also includes LED bulbs and USB ports, which can quickly charge various equipment such as phones and tablets. This new product will allow families to have lighting, communicate and generate additional income by opening local businesses, among other things.

Orange thus becomes the first telco operator to sign an agreement of this scale to contribute to the development of income-generating activities (AGR) in rural areas thanks to clean electrification solutions; in line with the 7th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations.

Koolboks solar freezers will first be marketed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and then soon in the 11 other countries where Orange Energies is deployed. Thanks to its digital platform, Orange Smart Energies, Orange Energies allows households not connected to electricity to pay-as-you go to acquire solar energy solutions such as Koolboks. Thanks to a split payment system, thousands of families can use the Orange Money service from their phone to pay and become owners of solar installations and the equipment connected to them.

Nat-Sy Missamou, Senior Vice President Africa and Middle East of Orange Energies, said: “Since 2018, Orange Energies has been the partner of all energy producers. Alongside producers of solar solutions, national electricity operators and minigrid managers, we are deploying our pay-as-you-go platform, Orange Smart Energies, to make clean and affordable energy accessible to as many people as possible. . This partnership marks our entry into a new phase in which our ambition, after providing access to essential services, is to enable families to become actors in the development of their communities. This partnership marks the start of a fruitful collaboration. »

Ayoola Dominic, founder and CEO of Koolboks, said: “Koolboks is proud to partner with Orange to distribute our solar freezers. This product was designed to meet a need, and allow small traders and families to preserve food and have light in off-grid areas. With this partnership, we will be able to offer this luxury in many countries and regions at the same time. »

Orange Energies is now present in 12 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone and plans to launch its activities in two new countries by 2024.

CT Bureau