During UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Kenya this year, she oversaw the signing of a partnership between pay-as-you-go solar firm Azuri and consumer goods company Unilever. Out of this partnership, now consumers living off the grid in Kenya will have access to consumer goods and services on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The two companies have launched a consumer package that will see off-grid homes purchase a Quad solar home lighting system and get an e-voucher for a free Sunlight washing powder. For every week a home tops up the pay-as-you-go solar system, they get a free Sunlight washing powder.
The e-vouchers system is powered by Safaricom, and the homeowner can redeem for the free washing powder at any of the participating kiosk or trader.
The Home Care Marketing Director for Unilever East Africa, Anthony Esyalai, lauded the partnership saying it will contribute much into improving the livelihoods of Kenyans in rural and marginalized regions.
“Unilever through our Sunlight Brand is proud to leverage on its vast distribution networks to help connect more Kenyans access clean power while at the same time providing a product that allows them to look after their families and their homes in a more hygienic way.”
Azuri has been operating in Kenya for six years now. The company sales the Azuri Quad solar home lighting kit that comes with a 10W solar panel, four LED bulbs, USB port for mobile phones charging, a rechargeable radio, and a rechargeable torch.
The Quad solar home lighting kits come with the Azuri’s HomeSmart™ machine-learning technology that seeks to learn and adjust to each individual customer’s needs. The technology also monitors the sunshine duration during the day to ensure an all-night lighting experience.
Such a product in an African market where it is estimated that about 600 million people are living without electricity, will go a long way in encouraging people to take up solar power for home usage.
