Azuri Technologies: Engaged UK Crowd Raises £1.7M for Electrifying Africa

Investment from the UK crowd will provide clean energy for over
16,000 African families

CAMBRIDGE, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#BeyondTheGrid–Off-grid solar energy is providing a way for the 600 million Africans to
leap-frog over the traditional grid and obtain access to modern devices
powered by clean energy.

With the advent of pay-as-you-go technology, consumers can access solar
energy, which is as an affordable alternative to kerosene lanterns and
phone charging fees. But in order to scale, providers of pay-as-you-go
solar technology require commercial debt finance to build the solar
equipment in the first place.

Here, Crowd Finance is providing access to capital that is helping drive
the transformation of rural Africa. Azuri Technologies, a leading
provider of pay-as-you-go solar products and services across sub-Saharan
Africa, has recently partnered with Energise Africa to enable retail
investors to support the sector and at the same time, make a potential
return of 5% per annum on their investment. Over the last 9 months,
£1.7M has been raised to deliver power to some 16,000 households, and
the rate of investment is rapidly growing.

The partnership between Azuri and Lendahand Ethex makes it simple for
everyday people to invest in a sector that can deliver a social,
environmental, and financial return to both the investor and the end
consumer, via the Energise Africa platform. Energise Africa provides
information on a range of possible solar investments and allows lenders
to keep an eye on the performance of their investment.

The finance enables Azuri to supply PayGo solar home systems to off-grid
households in Africa on a commercial basis. The cost of the solar home
system is less than the cost of the kerosene lamps and mobile phone
charging fees that it replaces and provides clean light and power for
phones at the touch of a button.

One user, Alice who lives in Vota, Kenya purchased an Azuri Quad Solar
Home System which provides light, phone charging, a portable radio and a
torch. She commented, “The kerosene lamps were so dim and made the
children cough. Now we have solar power, both of my sons can study
safely in the evening and their grades have dramatically improved. Now
that I have solar, I would never want to go back to kerosene.”

Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Azuri Technologies said:

“We are delighted to be associated with Energise Africa and work with
the crowd to fund off-grid solar projects. Innovative financing is
ensuring that we can solve the problem of energy access in sub-Saharan
Africa.”

Danny den Hartog, Managing Director of Lendahand Ethex said:

“Through Energise Africa, Lendahand Ethex is committed to providing UK
based investors with easily accessible opportunities to invest directly
in sustainable businesses that can create long-term social and
environmental impact, whilst also delivering a potential financial
return. By working with mission-driven organisations like Azuri
Technologies we can significantly scale the power of the individual
investor to bring affordable solar energy to thousands of people across
Africa – transforming lives.”

— ENDS

About Azuri Technologies Ltd.

Azuri Technologies is a leading commercial provider of PayGo Solar Home
Systems to rural off-grid communities. With the widest reach of any
provider across East and West Africa, Azuri is leveraging solar and
mobile technology to allow users in 12 different countries to access
renewable, distributed power on a pay-as-you-go basis. Azuri’s HQ is
located in Cambridge, (U.K.), with substantial regional offices in
Africa, including our East African HQ in Nairobi and our West African HQ
in Lagos.

For more information, please visit: www.azuri-technologies.com

About Energise Africa

Energise Africa is a ground-breaking initiative that provides people
with the opportunity to invest in a range of pioneering businesses that
install life-changing solar systems in homes in Sub-Saharan Africa –
bringing clean energy and economic opportunities to families, whilst
aiming to generate a 4-6 % annual return for investors. Your capital is
at risk and returns are not guaranteed.

Brought to you by two of Europe’s online impact investing platforms
Ethex and Lendahand and supported by UK aid and Virgin Unite, Energise
Africa has already provided solar businesses with £2.68 million of
critical investment needed to enable more than 24,000 rural families
across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique to access to clean and
affordable energy . www.lendahand.co.uk

About Lendahand Ethex Ltd

Two of Europe’s leading online investing platforms, Ethex and Lendahand
have joined forces to provide UK based retail investors with investment
opportunities which will significantly improve off grid energy access
for families in Sub Saharan Africa. Both Lendahand and Ethex are well
regarded in the social investing space, evidenced by both their large
investor base (over 13,500 investors) and an enviable track record of
repeat investing which has resulted in both organisations raising a
combined £80 million+ for social enterprises, charities and businesses
since 2013.

Contacts

For further information or to arrange interviews:
Azuri
Technologies Ltd.
Lauren McIntosh
[email protected]
+44(0)7585846006
or
Lendahand
Ethex Ltd.
Rachel Mountain
[email protected]
+44(0)1865
207042