ZAMBIA – RDG Collective, a multinational company engaged in designing, manufacturing, distributing, and financing Solar Home systems, has secured a funding of US$2 million from Oikocredit to amplify its operations.
This financial boost aims to bolster the distribution of solar photovoltaic systems, catering to the electricity needs in Zambia.
In partnership with Oikocredit, RDG is targeting the provision of electricity access to at least 12,500 low-income Zambians.
Oikocredit believes that access to renewable electricity and the utilization of energy appliances can elevate living standards, increase income prospects, and foster enhanced dignity among households.
Since its establishment in 2018, RDG has already distributed over 20,000 energy devices, positively impacting the lives of more than 100,000 individuals by granting access to clean energy.
Additionally, it has created employment opportunities for over 300 individuals by engaging them as agents.
Rune Dige, the founder and CEO of RDG Collective, expresses, “Oikocredit’s expertise and support are instrumental in enabling RDG to extend the distribution of life-changing productive energy appliances.”
RDG’s suite of devices includes solar-powered irrigation systems for agriculture and solar refrigerators for food preservation, significantly contributing to improving electricity accessibility in Zambia.
Official records indicate that approximately 2.4 million households in this East African country still lack access to electricity.
In a related development, the Foundation for Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion in Africa (CEI Africa) has allocated a grant of US$1.8 million to WeLight, aiming to electrify rural communities in Mali through solar mini-grids.
This grant is intended to bolster WeLight’s ongoing electrification endeavors in Mali, where it has been operational since 2021.
CEI Africa estimates that this funding will facilitate the expansion of the company’s existing five solar mini-grids and the creation of nine new green mini-grids, catering to an estimated 35,000 people.
The existing five mini-grids, established in recent years, have already provided 1,000 connections in Malian villages.
The support from CEI signifies a significant stride forward, enabling the extension of electricity to nine additional villages.
Moez Zouaoui, the national coordinator of WeLight Mali, underscores, “Access to electricity for productive purposes is indispensable, driving socio-economic progress across various sectors for the community.”
However, the grant’s issuance hinges upon specific preconditions mutually agreed upon by CEI Africa and WeLight, encompassing the execution of a grant agreement.
These funds will be disbursed upon the completion of new electricity connections. Mali, a beneficiary of this funding, is anticipated to achieve a 53% electricity access rate according to the National Energy Directorate (DNE).
For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
