, NAIROBI, Kenya, Ju 2 – d.light, a manufacturer and provider of solar power products, has announced a $18 million investment from a consortium of lenders with a focus on the renewable energy space including; two responsAbility-managed funds, SunFunder, DWM and SIMA.
The financing will be used to further grow d.light’s operations across Africa.
d.light has already brought solar power to nearly 100 million people without access to reliable electricity since 2007 using pay-as-you-go financing solutions and generating 171 GWh of renewable energy in the process.
The additional funding will enable the company to expand its product line, enter new markets and reach even more customers, all of which will drive the company’s mission of making clean energy products universally available and affordable.
“The investment underpins the catalytic role of the company in making available clean, reliable solar energy solutions through the pay-as-you-go business model that enables off-grid customers to pay for solar lighting products in affordable installments using various mobile payment options,” said d.light CEO and co-founder Ned Tozun.
“Significant amounts of capital are required to enable us to continue providing these financing plans for our customers as we grow. We are thankful for the continued support of our funding partners to enable us to create a brighter future for the families we serve,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of responsAbility Investments, Antonia Schaeli, Principal – Direct Investments Energy Debt, explained: “Financing d.light’s innovative pay-as-you-go solar business, particularly in Africa, allows our funds to ensure people gain access to energy in a way that safeguards our climate. As an existing lender, responsAblity is excited to be part of d.light’s further expansion.”
Avi Jacobson, Senior Investment Officer at SunFunder, added, “SunFunder is proud to deepen its long-term relationship with d.light. It is inspiring to work with an industry leader that positively impacts so many lives globally.”
d.light’s Chief Financial Officer Adrian Bock noted, “We are both proud and humbled by the continued support of the funders. We have been able to attract over $50M of debt funding in the recent past, excluding this latest tranche, on the back of our continued focus on financial discipline and operational excellence to ensure consistent profitability while accelerating our overriding mission of providing clean accessible energy for all.”
We continuously test ourselves and look to improve the way we do business for the benefit of our stakeholders and look forward to also working with our funders in this regard,” said Bock.
