French telecom giant Orange has teamed up with green technology company d.light to bring innovative solar-powered products to its prepaid customers in Africa. California-based d.light specializes in a variety of solar-powered devices such as lamps, torches, fans, and phone chargers, all designed for easy self-installation.
One standout product is the T500R, a multi-functional solar torch equipped with features like an ambient sidelight, radio, USB port for phone charging and music playback, and Bluetooth connectivity. D.light also offers low-power-consumption TVs that can operate on both AC and DC power.
Orange has started distributing these products through its Orange Energies platform in countries including Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Plans are underway to expand this offering to Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and the Central African Republic.
Targeting low-income, off-grid households, Orange provides flexible payment options through its Orange Money service, allowing customers to pay in instalments deducted from their prepaid balance. This partnership leverages Orange’s extensive reach to deliver solar solutions to rural areas, supporting d.light’s mission to bring affordable renewable energy to underserved communities.
D.light CEO Nick Imudia emphasized the synergy between mobile operators and off-grid solar providers, noting the importance of mobile money services in enabling affordable access to renewable energy. Orange’s initiative aligns with its broader goal of increasing the use of renewable energy at its rural mobile sites and selling surplus electricity to local communities.
The International Energy Agency reports that around 600 million people in Africa lacked reliable electricity in 2022, with the situation exacerbated by recent global crises. Traditional energy alternatives like generators are both costly and harmful to health and the environment. A 2020 World Bank study highlighted that households without electricity spend significantly more to compensate for the lack.
Through its partnership with d.light, Orange Energies can now offer more accessible self-install solar products, enhancing its service portfolio while promoting environmental sustainability. This collaboration not only benefits Orange and d.light but also contributes positively to the planet by fostering the use of renewable energy in Africa.
