The deal will see Azuri’s solar home TV product co-branded and co-marketed by FirstBank and Azuri and paid for through FirstBank’s Firstmonie agent network and mobile payment solution found in rural and semi-urban locations across the country. The agents also provide basic financial services such as account opening, cash deposit, cash withdrawals and bill payments. More than 60 million of Nigeria’s roughly 200 million people do not have bank accounts and as little as 6% of people have a mobile money account. . According to Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth, “This partnership combines the reach of FirstBank with Azuri’s technology and pay-as-you-go solar expertise to bring next generation power to off-grid consumers in Nigeria.” “Azuri and FirstBank share the vision of a level playing field where all consumers have the ability to benefit from modern financial and digital services, regardless of where they live and this agreement is another step in making that vision a reality.” From solar home lighting to solar satellite TV, Azuri systems are designed to deliver world class performance at an affordable price for all customers that experience irregular power supply. Customers make small weekly or monthly payments to unlock their system and power. Pay-as-you-go solar is transforming lives by providing energy for lighting, phones and TVs while helping boost local economies with new employment opportunities and connecting off-grid households to financial and digital services that are helping improve productivity and increase income. FirstBank CEO Adesola Adeduntan stated the partnership was a positive step in providing much needed energy and enabling access to financial services in rural, low-income areas. “Financial inclusion is a priority with FirstBank and we are excited that with this partnership, our customers are able to access a wide range of services that address real problems such as access to power. With our over 16,000 Firstmonie Agents spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria, our customers are at an advantage in enjoying seamless financial services from the Bank that puts them first,” said Adeduntan. Recently, Azuri unveiled a 32-inch solar satellite TV system specially designed and customised for off-grid customers in Africa. The firm already had a 24-inch solar satellite TV. The TV features Azuri ToughScreen™ technology, designed to resist accidental damage during normal use in the home. Azuri’s 32-inch TV Solar Home System comes with 4 high brightness LED lights, mobile phone charging and a rechargeable torch and radio. More than 60 satellite TV channels and 20 plus radio channels complete the package. The 32-inch AzuriTV was initially launched in Kenya at only $1.29 (KSh129) per day. The company plans to launch the new TV in other markets across Sub-Saharan Africa later in the year.
