The Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a joint effort by the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On to develop, scale-up or extend the use of renewable off-grid energy technologies to reach communities not served by existing power grids. Through the Challenge, USADF provided $50,000 in seed capital and All On provided $50,000 in convertible debt to each of the selected energy enterprises. In addition to funding, the winners will also receive technical assistance from USADF and governance support from All On.

“We are proud to partner with All On to foster the growth of local enterprises to bring power and connectivity to underserved Nigerians,” says C.D. Glin, USADF’S President & CEO. “This partnership combines grant capital with private sector funding to support the selected Nigerian energy enterprises with the means to grow their businesses, increase access to power, and change people’s lives.”

According to Dr. Wiebe Boer, the CEO of Nigeria-based All On, an off-grid energy impact investment company backed by Shell, “The biggest challenge hindering Nigeria’s economic and social development is access to energy. These off-grid energy companies are introducing innovations that will improve household livelihoods and local economies by providing affordable power to unserved and underserved communities. We are proud to partner with USADF to provide an innovative blend of financing to these companies to enable them to scale up and meet the increasing demand.”

The recipients in the mini-grid category are Havenhill, Prado, Solmenz, A4&T, and Darway Coast. The category includes Auxano, Eastwind, and Alyx. Creeds and iKabin emerged as the recipients in the solar home system category. According to Chuka Umezulora, CEO of Auxano, a company that builds local assembly of solar panels, "With the award of this blended finance, Auxano is poised to raise its daily production to more than 100 panels and double its staff strength to meet the rising demand. Beyond the financial relief that came with this funding, it has also exposed us to global best business practices as we continually improve in the way we conduct our business daily."

Hannah Kabir of Creeds, a solar home system company, said, "The USADF-All On funds will facilitate the scale up of our lease-to-own standalone solar systems to over 100 SMEs in Plateau and Rivers states, with affordable instalment repayments. By transitioning to standalone solar systems, SMEs save up to 50% on daily fuel spend on generators, which can be channeled into growing their business and productive activities."

“Congratulations to the winners and organizers of the 2018 Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge,” says Damilola Ogunbiyi Managing Director/CEO Rural Electrification Agency (REA). “This is a remarkable initiative that demonstrates what we already know – that private sector taking a solution-driven role is the only way to provide sustainable power solutions for Nigerians. The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is currently replicating this model of private sector driven power projects through the Nigerian Off-Grid Electrification Strategy.”

About All On

All On, an independent impact investing company, was seeded with funding from Shell, and works with partners to increase access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and un-served off-grid energy markets in Nigeria, with a special focus on the Niger Delta.

To learn more, please visit: www.all-on.com. Communications Contact: Falade Adebanke. Email: All-On-Communications@all-on.com Phone number: 08135135775

About the United States African Development Foundation (USADF)

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent U.S. Government agency established by Congress to support African-owned community and social enterprises which improve lives and livelihoods in underserved communities. Utilizing a community-led development approach, USADF invests directly to provide seed capital and local project management assistance to early stage enterprises addressing local challenges such as food security, energy access and women and youth. Annually, our grant assistance for enterprise development and expansion generates approximately $100 million dollars in new local economic activity throughout Africa’s Sahel, Horn and Great Lakes Regions, reducing poverty, creating peace and economic stability, and putting millions on a pathway to prosperity.

Learn more at www.usadf.gov. Communications Contact: Julia Tanton, Email: jtanton@usadf.gov

Disclaimer: This communication is made on behalf of All On only and does not necessarily reflect the views or policy of our partners.