RWANDA – Bboxx, a renewable energy provider, has announced a strategic move of its headquarters from London in the UK to Kigali in Rwanda.
The move signals a significant step in Bboxx’s mission to connect consumers and deploy innovative products across the continent. Bboxx plans to invest US$100 million in Rwanda, training nearly 1000 Rwandans in the next five years.
This announcement aligns with the company’s ambitious goals for the new year, aiming to impact 36 million people by 2028, following a US$100 million partnership with Kuwaiti investment company EnerTech announced in December 2023.
Bboxx, founded in 2010, initially focused on addressing energy poverty in Africa. Over the past 13 years, it has expanded into 11 African markets, providing electricity to over 10% of Rwanda’s households.
The company has diversified its range of products and services, from solar energy to pay-as-you-go clean cooking solutions, water pumps, smartphones, and electric vehicles.
Simultaneously, Rwanda’s transformation over the past two decades, coupled with business-friendly policies, makes it an opportune location for Bboxx to base its operations.
The decision to move the headquarters to Kigali places Bboxx at the core of Africa’s rapidly evolving energy and technology sectors, enhancing access to key markets and reinforcing its commitment to long-term, sustainable growth.
Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, welcomed the move, stating, “Bboxx’s decision aligns with our efforts for Rwanda as a magnet for smart, sustainable investments.”
Rwanda offers a conducive business environment, a growing pool of tech and engineering talent, and easy access to the rest of Africa through its national carrier, Rwandair.
Bboxx’s move is supported by strong partnerships with African governments, including the Government of Rwanda.
This highlights the shared commitment to electrify the continent and empower remote communities economically. The company’s vision is a testament to its dedication to a brighter, more sustainable African future.
The UK, a key development partner for Rwanda, sees Bboxx’s move as a reflection of the strong relationship between the two nations. The British High Commissioner, His Excellency Omar Daair OBE, noted, “Bboxx’s move to Kigali exemplifies the UK’s ongoing support for African innovation.”
Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-Founder of Bboxx, expressed the significance of the move, stating, “In our journey to revolutionize access to essential products and services across Africa, it’s only fitting that we position ourselves at the heart of the continent.”
The relocation promises to bring Bboxx closer to the communities it serves, ensuring reliable and innovative solutions to the challenges they face.
With the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, serving as the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, the move to Kigali positions Bboxx strategically, reinforcing its commitment to Africa and its dedication to being a data-driven super platform for transformative change.
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