Energy Access Ventures (EAV), the Paris-based, impact-focused, venture firm which backs entrepreneurial companies that increase access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, has announced a US$2million investment in PEG - the leading off-grid solar pay-as-you-go (PAYG) company operating in Ghana.
The partnership with PEG is EAV’s second investment and represents the start of its investment activity in West Africa.
After a Series A-1 round of US$3.2million closed in September 2015, EAV led a US$4.3m Series A-2 round, joined by Blue Haven Initiative. Existing investors Engie Rassmbleurs d’Energie and Investisseurs & Partenaires also participated in the round.
PEG offers customers a solar product on an affordable 12-month payment plan, with an initial US$35 deposit, followed by daily or weekly repayments, through mobile money. After completing the payment plan, customers own the solar home system, with multiple lights, mobile charging facility, a lantern and a radio.
PEG has grown rapidly into the largest PAYG solar provider in Ghana, and currently has over 10,000 customers, serviced from 29 service centres in seven regions of Ghana.
PEG targets customers who typically earn US$1-US$6 a day in semi-urban or remote rural areas -- the overwhelming majority of whom are unbanked.
PEG has pioneered a PAYG business approach that focuses on building value through a focus on distribution, financing and branding. PEG licences its technology from MKopa, the global leader in PAYG technology.
EAV’s investment will help PEG expand its operations in the region, and Dr. Gera will join the PEG Board.
Dr. Michael H. Gera, Managing Partner of EAV said: “We are immensely proud to be investing in PEG. Its technical and financial innovation and unmatched distribution capability provide a unique opportunity to bring electricity to thousands of people in Ghana, and beyond, who have no access to grid-based power. Very importantly, PEG enables families to move away from using kerosene with its associated health and safety hazards”.
PEG CEO Hugh Whalan said: “We are thrilled to have closed this latest funding round, and look forward to working closely with our investors to leverage their unique skills so as to deliver reliable and convenient power to the millions of Ghanaians who need it, and at a price that poor consumers can afford”.
At Schneider Electric - cornerstone investor of the EAV fund - Gilles Vermot Desroches, Sustainability Senior Vice President commented: “We are delighted that EAV has made its second investment, consolidating the vision and promise that began within Schneider Electric. The expansion from East to West Africa shows that access to energy is indeed a basic need to foster development as well as support a growing consumer market. Schneider Electric reinforces its strong support to EAV and its portfolio companies to deliver a significant impact for communities and regions across Africa".
The partnership with PEG is EAV’s second investment and represents the start of its investment activity in West Africa.
After a Series A-1 round of US$3.2million closed in September 2015, EAV led a US$4.3m Series A-2 round, joined by Blue Haven Initiative. Existing investors Engie Rassmbleurs d’Energie and Investisseurs & Partenaires also participated in the round.
PEG offers customers a solar product on an affordable 12-month payment plan, with an initial US$35 deposit, followed by daily or weekly repayments, through mobile money. After completing the payment plan, customers own the solar home system, with multiple lights, mobile charging facility, a lantern and a radio.
PEG has grown rapidly into the largest PAYG solar provider in Ghana, and currently has over 10,000 customers, serviced from 29 service centres in seven regions of Ghana.
PEG targets customers who typically earn US$1-US$6 a day in semi-urban or remote rural areas -- the overwhelming majority of whom are unbanked.
PEG has pioneered a PAYG business approach that focuses on building value through a focus on distribution, financing and branding. PEG licences its technology from MKopa, the global leader in PAYG technology.
EAV’s investment will help PEG expand its operations in the region, and Dr. Gera will join the PEG Board.
Dr. Michael H. Gera, Managing Partner of EAV said: “We are immensely proud to be investing in PEG. Its technical and financial innovation and unmatched distribution capability provide a unique opportunity to bring electricity to thousands of people in Ghana, and beyond, who have no access to grid-based power. Very importantly, PEG enables families to move away from using kerosene with its associated health and safety hazards”.
PEG CEO Hugh Whalan said: “We are thrilled to have closed this latest funding round, and look forward to working closely with our investors to leverage their unique skills so as to deliver reliable and convenient power to the millions of Ghanaians who need it, and at a price that poor consumers can afford”.
At Schneider Electric - cornerstone investor of the EAV fund - Gilles Vermot Desroches, Sustainability Senior Vice President commented: “We are delighted that EAV has made its second investment, consolidating the vision and promise that began within Schneider Electric. The expansion from East to West Africa shows that access to energy is indeed a basic need to foster development as well as support a growing consumer market. Schneider Electric reinforces its strong support to EAV and its portfolio companies to deliver a significant impact for communities and regions across Africa".
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