Spotted: In sub-Saharan Africa, the electrification gap is one of the primary barriers to development. As many as 600 million people in the region live without reliable power. Many basic needs, from education and healthcare to economic opportunity, remain out of reach for millions of people as a result.

Zola Electric, a company originally founded in Tanzania, has developed a power system that promises to bring reliable, affordable electricity to off-grid communities across Africa.

The Zola ‘Infinity’ system is designed to be more reliable and cost-effective than traditional grid-based power and can be quickly deployed to rural areas where electrification is most needed.

The system draws on multiple energy inputs and a smart storage system to provide continuous power. With Infinity, African families will finally have access to the lights, refrigeration, pumps, and other appliances that they need to improve their quality of life. Importantly, Infinity is also designed to be scalable and adaptable, meaning that it can grow with communities as their needs change.

Zola has received backing from a number of prestigious investors including Tesla, Total, and EDF.

Mini-grids and smart storage solutions will be increasingly important as the world’s energy system becomes more decentralised. Springwise has recently spotted a software service that optimises decentralised energy projects and a plug-and-play solar energy system for swarm electrification.

Written By: Katrina Lane