Azuri Technologies, a leading provider of pay-as-you-go solar home solutions to off-grid households across Africa, has officially launched its 24-inch solar satellite television and home lighting system in Zambia at the British High Commission in Lusaka.
The TV launch in Zambia comes on the heels of Azuri’s announced strategic $26 million equity investment, accelerating the company’s expansion plans across sub-Saharan Africa. The investment will help more off-grid customers across Zambia benefit from affordable, clean and reliable energy, as well as having access to modern energy-efficient appliances.
“Azuri believes African consumers, regardless of wherever they may live, should be able to access affordable modern digital services and devices that have a positive impact on daily life and on livelihoods” said Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth. “Pay-as-you-go solar power is connecting off-grid households to the modern digital world through reliable, clean energy and highly efficient products such as AzuriTV which delivers social and economic benefits that many urban users have experienced for years.”
Minster for Energy Matthew Nkhuwa, added that renewable energy can be a catalyst for rural development through improved access to information, improved productivity and new employment opportunities, as well as supporting Zambia’s commitment to mitigating climate change.
AzuriTV was the first complete solar TV and satellite package designed and developed for off-grid consumers in Africa. Azuri customers pay for their solar and satellite TV service through regular weekly instalments, and once the system is paid for, all energy generated going forward is free of charge.
“Solar power has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people who are still living off the grid” said British High Commissioner, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet.
“Azuri embodies the pioneering spirit of innovation for which the UK is globally renowned. The launch today showcases the cutting-edge technology and expert services that British firms can offer to rapidly expanding markets across Africa.”
Azuri is a leading commercial provider of pay-as-you-go solar home systems to off-grid consumers across sub-Saharan Africa since 2012. Working in partnership with locally-based distributor Kazang Solar, Azuri and has been delivering affordable, clean energy to Zambians since 2016.
According to a recent study by Efficiency for Access Coalition, televisions are the second most desired off-grid appliance by consumers, with only solar lighting being ranked more highly.
Shamba Shape Up, one of East Africa’s most popular rural programmes offering farming tips and advice, which is available to AzuriTV customers, reports that 80 percent of viewers on average increase income, produce and or food for their households by making simple changes recommended by the show.
The AzuriTV package includes a 24-inch solar TV with 49 popular Zuku satellite TV channels and over 50 radio channels, and comes complete with solar home lighting, rechargeable radio, torch and mobile phone charging. The complete package costs as little as K98 per week.
As important as the solar tv package is , only in Africa is where such one way systems are applauded, in Latin America this package comes with internet access……
It is expensive, K98/Week x 4= K392.00/month. Worse still, Europeans always want to milk Africans. Better remain with dstv with quality services
It is very expensive, villagers will not manage K392 per month.
@African Leadership look at the overall package. At that price you get a TV, dish, and all accessories plus a Zulu subscription with over 60 channels including other free to air including Prime TV, QTV etc plus lighting system with four lights, a torch and radio. And after two years the entire unit become yours and you don’t pay anything. While with DSTV you pay forever just for the bouquet and you don’t get anything extra. You also have to pay for power which is an extra cost and you have to buy the TV separately, another cost plus installation and accessories that go with satellite tv. Azuri TV is certainly very cheap
The issue is; who are they targeting? A typical Zambian village cannot afford that. K400 per month is outside their reach. May be civil servants working in rural areas are the target.
A question to ask is how long does the battery, which is a major expense , last for before you have get another one ?
At the base of this is the fact that you are being sold energy from the sun, which is free. It is just packaged in a toy called television. We need to empower rural folk to have free electricity via solar installations. Mwe fipuba mwe.
The issue is; who are they targeting? A typical Zambian village cannot afford that. K400 per month is outside their reach. May be civil servants working in rural areas are the target.