General News
ZOLA Electric Raises $90M from Leading Clean Energy Players

ZOLA Electric, the leading renewable energy technology company solving Energy Access and Energy Equality in emerging markets, announces the successful completion of a $90 million capital raise, comprised of $45 million of equity, $45 million of debt.

The equity element was led by several prominent investors including TotalEnergies Ventures – the venture capital arm of TotalEnergies SE, DBL Partners, Helios Investment Partners, Vulcan Capital, plus Lyndon and Pete Rive – the founders of SolarCity. In addition, Electron Capital Partners, a New York based public market clean energy investor is also supporting this capital raise. This is their first private equity investment.
The debt is being provided by some of the leading Energy Access lenders including FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, and Sunfunder, a solar finance company providing debt capital to solar enterprises in emerging markets.
The size of the funding round, the calibre of the investors, and the backing by both private and public investors is testament to investor confidence in ZOLA’s Energy Access strategy, the company’s impact, and digital renewable energy as a new and growing asset class.
Proceeds will be used to develop next generation hardware and software technology, focused on bringing reliable, affordable and clean energy to Africa, Asia and Latin America.
ZOLA’s leading technology is bringing distributed, clean, digital energy solutions to those who lack reliable and affordable energy, commonly referred to as the Energy Access sector. ZOLA’s intelligent batteries are installed in homes and businesses, and are integrated into any energy source (grid, solar, battery, etc.) to power any load.
These solutions are managed by Vision, it’s SAAS software system, providing customers with data, analytics and control of their systems. ZOLA’s platform of intelligent batteries, monitored and managed by Vision, is the world’s first fully integrated, modular and intelligent platform purpose built for the Energy Access sector.
Today, ZOLA delivers energy to approximately 1.5 million users, across over 10 countries, predominantly in Africa but recently expanded to Asia and South America. Its products are distributed through leading integrators and developers including EDF, Shell, Econet/DPA and to emerging DRE (distributed renewable energy) integrators like Blue Camel in Nigeria.
In these markets, the lack of primary power results in the installation of millions of back-up solutions (diesel generators, lead acid batteries) that are poorly integrated, difficult to manage, unreliable, costly, dirty, and lack intelligence.
As a result, socio-economic development, healthcare and education is hindered. ZOLA’s objective is to drive energy access to the 2.2 billion people and hundreds of millions of businesses that currently lack it.
Bill Lenihan, Chief Executive Officer of ZOLA Electric, said: “We are beyond grateful and proud to close this $90 million funding round. Businesses are judged by the company they keep, and we are thrilled to have the backing of these leading energy operators and investors.
“The world needs energy access, energy equality, and it needs to be done in a way that protects our environment while supporting economic development. Digital renewable energy can help us accomplish these weighty objectives, and as a leading energy access technology company, this is what we intend to achieve.”
Edouard Bulteau, Principal at TotalEnergies Ventures, commented: “Energy is reinventing itself, and we need to find a path to a low-carbon future while meeting the energy needs of the society.
“Developing renewable energy solutions dedicated to emerging markets is key to reach this goal and represents a huge investment opportunity. This is why TotalEnergies Ventures is delighted to support ZOLA, a leading company in this area, in their latest fund raise.”
Nancy Pfund, Founder and Managing Partner at DBL Partners, said: “DBL’s mission has always been to drive top tier venture capital returns and positive social and environmental change.
“ZOLA embodies our mission in every way, and we are excited to see the company build the same success in clean energy in Africa and other emerging markets that we have had with clean energy investments in the United States. DBL firmly believes that access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy is a global movement, and the time is now.”
General News
NRS Extends Saturday Tax Office Operations Nationwide Ahead of Rev360 Rollout

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has announced the extension of weekend tax office operations across the country as part of preparations for the rollout of the Rev360 Phase I Tax Administration System.

In a public notice issued in Abuja on May 7, the Service stated that all Emerging, Medium, Large, and Government Business Offices nationwide will now open on Saturdays from May 8 to June 27, 2026.
According to the notice, the offices will operate between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The NRS explained that the initiative is aimed at providing additional taxpayer support and improving service delivery during the implementation of the new tax administration platform for Medium and Emerging Taxpayer segments.
The Service noted that the extended Saturday operations are designed to assist taxpayers requiring guidance with the new system, facilitate seamless compliance during the June peak Companies Income Tax filing period, and improve access to tax services outside regular weekday hours.
It encouraged taxpayers to take advantage of the initiative to resolve tax-related matters, seek necessary guidance, and ensure timely compliance with their tax obligations.
“The NRS remains dedicated to delivering efficient, transparent, and taxpayer-focused services,” the statement read.
The notice was signed by Zacch Adedeji, PhD, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service. “You say Transformation, We say Rev360.”
General News
NCS, Gowon University Partner on Research, Development

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Yakubu Gowon University have moved to formalise a strategic alliance aimed at advancing national security research, border management studies, and student welfare.

Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a visit by the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, to the headquarters of the agency yesterday in Abuja.
Adeniyi noted that the collaboration marks a significant step in bridging the gap between paramilitary operations and academic research. “I have a long institutional history with this university,” CGC Adeniyi remarked.
He noting that previous attempts to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were interrupted by leadership transitions and that the Service is now committed to a phased implementation of support, focusing on projects with the highest impact on the learning environment.
Adeniyi said “For us, beyond legacy, what matters most is impact. We understand the realities facing Nigerian universities, from transportation challenges to infrastructure gaps.
“Our interest is to support initiatives that will create a conducive learning environment and positively impact students.”
He also stressed the importance of the university in relation to its status of the nation’s capital u University. He pledged to support the institution in meeting the demands of its 40,000-strong student population.
Responding, Professor Fawehinmi highlighted the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies as a critical hub for the partnership.
He suggested that the centre could provide the NCS with specialised research into national security and executive training for officers.
“Support in areas such as mass transit buses, ICT infrastructure, research facilities, and professional collaboration will significantly strengthen our capacity,” the Vice Chancellor noted, adding that as the only conventional public university in the Federal Capital Territory, the institution carries enormous responsibilities.
General News
CRMI Warns of Risks, Sees Gains in UAE Exit from OPEC

Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has highlighted potential benefits for Nigeria such as increased production flexibility, expanded market share, and improved revenue prospects following the United Arab Emirates’ decision to exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

However, the Institute cautioned that these opportunities come with significant risks, including exposure to price volatility, reduced protection from coordinated supply management, intensified competition, and mounting fiscal pressures.
In a statement signed by Victor Olannye, registrar/chief executive officer, described the development as a major shift in global oil governance, with far-reaching implications for market stability and international energy dynamics.
Olannye noted that the move could trigger increased oil price volatility, heightened geopolitical tensions, and disruptions across global energy supply chains.
He urged corporate organisations, public institutions, financial bodies, and risk professionals to reassess their risk frameworks and strengthen resilience in response to evolving global realities.
He identified key risks to include a potential weakening of OPEC cohesion, oil price instability, geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, macroeconomic volatility, and the possibility of further exits by member states.
In line with its mandate to promote sound risk management and support national development, the Institute advised corporate organisations to implement robust risk management frameworks, adopt dynamic hedging strategies, and diversify their business portfolios.
Financial institutions and investors were also urged to reassess energy-related risks, strengthen portfolio diversification, and enhance risk disclosure practices.
CRMI further called on government and policymakers to reinforce fiscal buffers, accelerate economic diversification, and promote the transition to renewable energy.
Individual risk professionals were encouraged to upskill in geopolitical risk analysis and energy economics while developing expertise in scenario planning and predictive analytics.
The Institute emphasised the need for stakeholders to reposition proactively to navigate the evolving geo-economic landscape. It also projected possible scenarios, including fragmentation of global oil governance structures, increased reliance on market-driven pricing mechanisms, and an acceleration of global energy transition efforts.
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