A startup called Nuru is on a mission to light up rural Africa. The company recently secured $40 million in funding to expand its solar-powered mini-grids across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Most of DRC’s 90 million citizens live without access to electricity. Diesel generators are scarce and the national power grid reaches only about 10% of the population.
Nuru aims to change this by building solar-powered mini-grids to provide affordable and reliable electricity to off-grid communities. Nuru sets up solar panels in a village and builds a local power grid to connect homes and businesses. Households pay a small monthly fee to access the power.
The $40 million in funding will allow Nuru to expand from serving 15,000 homes and businesses to over 200,000 in the coming years. “We have huge demand, so this new funding will help us scale rapidly while improving lives,” said Jessica O. Matthews, Nuru’s founder and CEO.
Here’s how Nuru’s mini-grids work:
- Community buy-in: Nuru meets with village leaders and residents to assess needs and get approval before starting a project. The community must commit to long-term use of the mini-grid.
- Installation: Nuru installs solar panels in an open area near the village. The panels charge batteries that provide power day and night. Nuru builds power lines to connect homes and businesses.
- Low-cost power: Households pay about $10-15 per month for enough power for basic needs like lights, phone charging, radios, and small electronics. Businesses like barber shops, carpenters, and grocery stores can power equipment for $20-50 per month.
- Job creation: Nuru hires local workers to help build and maintain the mini-grids. This creates steady jobs and valuable skills in communities with high unemployment.
- Future expansion: As more people and businesses get access, Nuru can expand the capacity of the mini-grid and add new power lines to reach more neighbors. Revenue from customers helps fund the continued growth.
With millions of Africans still living in darkness, Nuru’s innovative model for energy access offers a ray of hope. By starting small and locally, the company is lighting the path towards a brighter future for rural communities in DRC and beyond. Overall, this funding will provide affordable electricity to many and transform lives.
