Kigali,19^th November 2021- Mobisol, Rwanda’s market leader in Pay-As-You-Go solar industry has changed its corporate name to ENGIE Energy Access Rwanda (EEA Rwanda).

Officially launched by Minister of infrastructure, Honourable Claver GATETE, the event was also attended by Amb.Nicola Bellomo, Ambassador of EU to Rwanda, and H. E Antoine Anfré, Ambassador of France to Rwanda. Mobisol Rwanda launched its services in Rwanda in 2014 and has connected over 400,000 people from 45,000 households to clean and affordable energy across Rwanda contributing to the current off-grid electrification rate which stands at 17%.

Minister retreated that, Government of Rwanda recognises the innovative payment model of PayGo that was first introduced by Mobisol in Rwanda and later replicated by other players. This supported households by easing payment for these systems as they receive their electricity needs.

 He added that, with this new partnership between Mobisol and Fenix International which led to the formation of ENGIE Energy Access, we expect an increased capacity to provide increased end-to-end off-grid energy solutions (solutions that cover the supply chain from providing equipment to connecting customers).

The government’s ambition is to have 100% universal access by 2024 from 67% today. This is an opportunity to take on this demand need and support the electrification ambition by investing in an off-grid solar initiative.

The Government also appreciates the impact ENGIE has had on the economy considering that there are several direct and indirect jobs that have been created.

There is also an improved standard of living specifically for the households that have been connected to these solar energy solutions especially now that communities can enjoy services that grid electricity can also avail. Additionally, this improvement is also noted in the education of the children and health conditions as most of these households no longer breathe contaminated air.

Universal electrification is the 7th of the Sustainable Development Goals that the global community has committed to achieving by 2030. More than 600 million people have no access to electricity in Africa and by 2030 the continent is expected to be home to 80 percent of the world’s off-grid population, according to the International Energy Agency.