Azuri and Unilever launch mobile e-voucher system for off-grid rural consumers in Kenya as a gateway to goods and services

Pay-as-you-go solar pioneer Azuri and consumer goods company Unilever today launched an e-voucher system designed to help off-grid rural consumers in Kenya access consumer goods and services via pay-as-you-go solar.

During the visit to Kenya by UK Prime Minister Theresa May earlier this year, Azuri and Unilever announced that they were teaming up to bring solar to millions more off-grid homes across Kenya and, with that, modern goods and services to enhance family life.  

As part of the offer, Azuri customers who purchase a Quad solar home lighting system receive an e-voucher for free Sunlight washing powder for every week they top up their pay-as-you-go solar system.

The e-voucher system, powered by telecommunications provider Safaricom, has been developed to ensure the widest coverage across the remotest areas. Customers can redeem the e-vouchers at any participating kiosk or trader.

"This is an example of how Azuri is helping rural consumers to access modern services and goes beyond just providing lighting as a service. Through our collaboration with leading consumer and telco companies such as Unilever and Safaricom, off-grid households are finally enjoying the benefits that technology and modern living can bring, powered by solar," says Snehar Shah, Azuri General Manager for East Africa at the official launch in Busia County, Kenya.

Anthony Esyalai, Home Care Marketing Director for Unilever East Africa lauded the partnership adding that it will go along way in improving the livelihoods of many Kenyans. "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 a leading provider of pay-as-you-go-solar home solutions in Kenya since 2012.

The Azuri Quad complete solar home lighting package comes with a 10W solar panel, four powerful LED lights, USB port and mobile phone charging, rechargeable radio and rechargeable torch.

The Quad solar home system features Azuri's unique HomeSmart machine-learning technology that learns and adjusts to each customer's needs. It even monitors weather conditions and adapts to ensure "light all night".

Over 600 million people in Africa have no access to electricity. Azuri is delivering reliable, renewable and distributed power on an affordable pay-as-you-go basis.