Diaspora Opportunities

culled from howwemadeitinafrica.com Pay-as-you-go off-grid solar energy solutions are on the rise in Africa. Introduced as a means to reach last-mile informal settlements, the industry has since evolved into a multitude of offerings, aimed at both urban and rural populations. With increasing demand for electricity, coupled with unreliable grid power supply, penetration of off-grid solar is estimated to grow by more than 70% a year, reaching over eight million households by 2020. Around 550,000 households in sub-Saharan Africa used off-grid solar solutions in 2015, rising to nearly one million by 2017. How pay-as-you-go solar works, specifically in the case of Lumos Global (an off-grid solar provider operating in Nigeria ), is customers buy a ‘solar kit’ – which usually comprises a solar panel, a battery, a phone charger and LED lights – from their local mobile operator store for a one-time commitment fee. Customers then pay small instalments, with their mobile airtime ...

In a bid to make the lives of Nigerians brighter and more meaningful, ICT giant, MTN Nigeria has collaborated with world renowned solar architect, Lumos, to launch mobile solar electricity systems for the benefit of families and businesses around the country. The national roll-out of the service which is set to hold on the 20th of February,in Abuja, will officially introduce the mobile electricity systems into the marketplace, making it easier for Nigerians to access the revolutionary product. Marketed as Lumos Mobile Electricity Service, powered by MTN, the solution promises to be a catalyst for growth, poised to improve the daily lives of Nigerians. With this innovative product, Nigerians can enjoy accessible, noise-free and fume-free electricity for everyday use and conveniently pay with airtime from a MTN mobile phone. The mobile electricity device which comes with a 5-year warranty, can light up bulbs and power appliances like fans, televisions, cellphones and computers...