With the goal of providing an efficient cooling system, Orange, a dedicated multi-service operator, has partnered with startup Koolboks to offer cooling and refrigeration remedies in 12 African countries and counting. This move is especially important given the growth of SMEs in Africa.
The solution will be made available through Orange Energies, an initiative that was started five years ago with the goal of enabling energy access through technology. Over 700 million Africans lack a source of power, so the electricity solution Orange and Koolboks are bringing to the continent through this strategic alliance makes a lot of sense, according to stakeholders.
According to a joint statement from Orange and Koolboks, the goal of this alliance is to provide as many people with access to critical services as possible. Professionals and homeowners alike can purchase refrigerators and freezers from Koolboks that come with solar panels and batteries, providing up to three days of complete autonomy. Additionally, the solar equipment has USB ports and LED bulbs that allow it to charge different electrical devices, like tablets and smartphones. Families will benefit from this new product by having access to lighting and being able to start small businesses to supplement their income. In the end, the service will support the growth of regional communities by providing more autonomy.
In line with the statement, Orange will sell the freezing and refrigeration solutions through Orange Energies, a solar energy provider that will charge customers on a pay-as-you-go basis for homes without access to the grid. The solar freezers made by Koolboks will first be available in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before being introduced in the other eleven Orange Energies operating nations.
Based on the data that was collected Orange Energies intends to add two additional nations by 2024 to its current 11 active countries.
Orange Energies offers pay-as-you-go solar energy options to homes that aren’t otherwise linked to the grid.
Thousands of families will be able to purchase solar energy systems and the equipment that goes with them by using Orange Money on their mobile phones, all made possible by a split payment plan. After that, they can utilise it to create economic activity, preserve food and offer lights. Orange is going to be the first telco operator of this size to enter an agreement of this kind, utilising clean electricity solutions to help grow Income-Generating Activities (AGR) in rural areas.
These kinds of solutions fit nicely with the seventh Sustainable Development Goal of the UN. Orange Energies Senior Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Nat-Sy Missamou, stated during her speech that the company has been a partner to all energy producers since 2018. We are implementing our pay-as-you-go platform, Orange Smart Energies, in collaboration with solar power producers, national electricity operators and minigrid managers to enable as many people as possible to have access to clean and reasonably priced energy.
With this partnership, we are entering a new phase of our work where our goal is to enable families to take charge of their community’s growth after providing access to basic services. This alliance represents the start of a successful working relationship.The company’s founder and CEO, Ayoola Dominic, continued, saying, “We are happy to work with Orange to market our solar freezers. This invention was created to fill a demand by enabling families and small traders to store food and have light in remote locations. We will be able to provide this luxury in numerous nations and areas at the same time thanks to our relationship.
