Bboxx and Unilever Partner to Increase Clean Energy Access in Kenya

British multinational consumer goods company Unilever has partnered with cleantech company Bboxx, through its detergent brand Sunlight, to increase clean energy access for households across Kenya. The focus will be on rural areas, where nearly 40% of the population does not have access to electricity, demonstrating the urgent need for energy solutions in the country.

Through the new partnership, Bboxx is aiming to extend its existing network in Kenya and connect additional one million people, providing access to essential clean energy products and solutions over the next three years. Bboxx and Sunlight will undertake marketing campaigns and mobilize agents on the grounds for the promotion of clean energy solutions.

Households and businesses will be given the opportunity to connect through the marketing campaign and after signing they will be able to communicate with the specialists to answer their queries and oversee the connection. 

Bboxx has huge experience in energy mini-grids, ‘plug-and-play’ solar home systems, and cleaner cooking solutions in the region. Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-Founder of Bboxx said their company is highly delighted to be partnering with one of the leading FMCG players, enabling them to create new channels to reach consumers and expand their existing footprint in Kenya.

“Not only is this a step towards the UN’s SDG 7, clean energy for all, but it is also a marker of our expansion into other sectors, allowing us to have a more positive and widespread impact on the lives of the local communities we are present in,” Hamayun commented.

Unilever Home Care Director, Henry Muchauraya, mentioned the timely and impactful initiative would go a long way in transforming the lives of millions of Kenyans. With Bboxx’s partnership, the Sunlight brand will not only help the rural communities access clean power through Unilever’s vast distribution networks but also ensure that they experience the value of its other products under the Sunlight Masterbrand.

The partnership is in line with Sunlight’s ‘Women of More’ program, which aims to boost many female entrepreneurs throughout the country, by providing training and accessibility to extra income. Also, a cross-promotional agreement is signed between Sunlight and Bboxx, which will reward customers with free Sunlight products when they will pay for Bboxx’s solar home systems.

Bboxx and Sunlight look forward to geographically expanding this facility throughout Africa with the aim of positively transforming the lives of more than five million people over the duration of ten years across a multitude of markets.