Page 10 - AfrElec Week 42 2022
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AfrElec SOL AR SYSTEMS AfrElec
USAID grants $1.5mn for
solar homes distributor
Baobab+ in DR Congo
DR CONGO THE United States Agency for International of Congo (DRC), where millions of homes lack
Development (USAID) has awarded a $1.5mn electricity and rely on expensive and pollutive
grant to Baobab+, a distributor of solar home small-scale diesel generators.
systems in Western Africa and Madagascar. As things stand, Baobab+ has a presence
The funding is coming from USAID’s open in the Kinshasa, Kwilu and Kikwit areas of the
innovation programme Development Innova- DRC, and will soon enter Kwango.
tion Ventures (DIV). Speaking in a press release, Baobab+
Baobab+ offers solar homes to Africans, cofounder and CEO Alexandre Coster thanked
including those with a poor or no credit record, DIV for their support.
allowing them to power their own home for an “This grant was key in our development. It
affordable rate. allowed us to expand in the DRC and get started
The money grant will enable Baobab+ to faster,” Coster said.
expand throughout the Democratic Republic
P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 42 20•October•2022
