Orange is set to launch a range of solar-powered freezers in 12 African countries where it operates, in partnership with the Franco-Nigerian startup Koolboks. Koolboks deploys a freezing and refrigeration solution through equipment equipped with solar panels and batteries that provide up to three days of autonomy.
Koolboks’ solar equipment also includes LED lights and USB ports, enabling quick charging of various devices like phones and tablets, according to an official statement. As per the same source, the partnership between the Orange Group and the Franco-Nigerian startup will first be implemented in the Democratic Republic of Congo before expanding to the other 11 countries where the Orange Group operates, including Cameroon.
“Koolboks is proud to partner with Orange to distribute our solar freezers. This product was designed to meet a need, allowing small businesses and families to store food and have light in off-grid areas. With this partnership, we can offer this luxury in many countries and regions,” stated Ayoola Dominic, the founder and CEO of Koolboks.
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“No one should be deprived of refrigeration due to its cost. Thanks to Koolboks’ innovative integrated payment technology, distributors can offer Koolhome freezers to their customers with a rent-to-own option. With Koolboks, individuals and businesses can make small monthly or weekly payments to own a solar refrigerator,” the startup explained regarding the payment terms. In addition to the Aganza, Paygee, and Solaris platforms, payments can now also be made using Orange Money.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the con