Orange Energies opens digital platform to African producers

Telecom operator Orange is opening its digital platform, Orange Smart Energies, which provides prepaid access to energy through solar kits and smart meters to all energy producers on the African continent.

Orange said the digital platform is a solution to the profitability challenges faced by energy producers on the continent since it reduces the risk of non-payment.

The company added that the digital platform available to energy providers in Africa and the Middle East will ensure client payment via mobile money.

Furthermore, it said the business model enables Orange Energies to provide a digital service and a distribution network that makes accessing energy in rural areas easier.

Moreover, Orange claimed that the digital platform is the only one on the market that supports both pay-as-you-go solar equipment and prepaid smart meters.

"Using digital technology to improve the energy inclusion of African people has been our ambition since day one. By opening our Orange Smart Energies platform to all energy producers, we are taking a major step forward in our commitment to universal access to energy in Africa and the Middle East," said Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Jérôme Hénique.

The Orange Smart Energies digital platform is hooked up to 300,000 households across 12 countries. (Source: Image by ASphotofamily on Freepik)

Orange Energies for Africa and the Middle East Senior Vice President Nat-Sy Missamou added that the company is working with energy producers to help them sustain their business in African markets.

"Leveraging existing digital and financial inclusion solutions, our pay-as-you-go service is delivered through a distribution model tailored to African markets," Missamou continued.

Orange Energies spreading its African wings

Since its launch in 2017, Orange Energies said, its ambition has been to make energy more accessible by becoming the preferred partner of energy producers. It added that one in two Africans lives without electricity and that power companies want to improve the efficiency of debt collection.

"Operating in 12 countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Jordan, with more than 300,000 households benefiting from its services every day, Orange Energies continues to expand its customer base and regional coverage across the continent," the company added.

The company has been making strides in its quest to provide energy efficient solutions to African countries.

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In October 2023, it partnered with startup Koolboks to provide freezing and refrigeration solutions in 12 African countries.

Back in 2021 the operator accelerated its solar projects in Africa and the Middle East and committed to reduce its carbon footprint to zero by 2040.

*Top image source: Image by freepik.

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa