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ZOLA Electric Raises $90M from Leading Clean Energy Players

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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.”


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Cloud Energy Solar Shines Bright with 200 Watts Street Lighting Bulb

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Nigeria’s foremost indigenous Renewable Energy Company, decorated by industry partners as the most Outstanding Energy Provider, Cloud Energy Solar, living true to its appellations, is focusing its renewable energy competencies beyond the home and office.

Cloud Energy has increased its impact in street lighting with the design and production of the 200 Watts street lighting bulb.

The 200 Watts bulb consolidates the reputation of brightness and long lasting for the Cloud Energy range of energy saving bulbs, in the homes and offices.

Spurred by the abundance of the sun, the Cloud Energy Solar Company seems challenged to never let the sun set. The Managing Director of Cloud Energy, Mr. Theophilus Nweke, launching the 200 Watts bulb observed that the times are dangerous in terms of security.

Therefore, the brilliance of the street lighting will eliminate all lurking shadows from the streets and security posts. It is an answer to a call to duty for all patriots to deploy their competencies to enhance national security.

The renewable energy boss said that citizens must be prepared to make sacrifice to give Nigeria its deserved place as the giant of Africa. These sacrifices can come from the kind of opportunities that OEMs give to Nigerians. For example, Cloud Energy, a leading solar practitioner is currently offering rooftop solar panels with a flexible payment plan up to two years or more.

Property owners can now design their buildings with solar panels on the roof and keep paying long after they have completed and moved into the houses.

This flexible payment consideration, the Cloud Energy Boss explains, extends to the entire range of Cloud Energy Solar products – Energy storage products, Inverters, Batteries; Lifestyle products, Fridges, Freezers, Fans Television sets, and solar accessories.

These offers are conveyed in a campaign entitled Bridge the Energy Gap, a clear departure from the traditional way of presenting offers in the market.

The bridge has been used as a symbol to convey a sense of professional support, assistance, and partnership.

The bridge beyond meaning a make-up for a shortfall also provides a thorough fare to the energy transition, without bottlenecks. It deletes all doubts and gives a sense of certainty for a transition.to Solar.

The bridge is the fact that Cloud Energy in partnership with its finance partners offers different kinds of payment plan to ensure a done deal, in electricity, without tears.

Cloud Energy, founded in 2015 has earned respect by installing Solar and Inverter systems for discerning clients, mainly academic, research institutions and multi-nationals across the nation.

In less than a decade Cloud Energy has foot prints in the Banking and Finance sector with ATM installations; Homes and Public buildings with Solar Systems; and is a viable partner to governments through the Rural Electrification Project.


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Airtel HR Director, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias Honoured as HR Leader of the Year

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The Director of Human Resources and Administration at Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, has been awarded as HR Leader of the Year at the 2024 HR People Magazine Awards, organized by Mapelwood Global Resource.

The award ceremony, held recently at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, celebrated the achievements of outstanding HR professionals across Nigeria who have contributed significantly to organizational success and workplace culture.

Speaking on the recognition, Carl Cruz, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, expressed immense pride in Ayo-Elias’s achievement, describing it as a milestone not only for her but also for the company.

“Adebimpe’s impact, dedication, and leadership extend well beyond Airtel, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her influence in the HR field. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and look forward to her continued contributions to the industry,” he said.

Receiving the award, Adebimpe expressed gratitude for the honour, reiterating her commitment to advancing world-class HR practices within her organisation.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of those we serve within and beyond the organization. Airtel Nigeria creates an environment that nurtures growth, encourages innovation, and prioritizes the well-being of every employee and as such, this award motivates me to continue championing these values,” she said.

This award reaffirms Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to developing and empowering talent, further establishing the company as a leading force in creating an impactful, forward-thinking workplace.


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Canada Orders TikTok to Shut Down Operations Amid National Security Concerns

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Canadian government has ordered TikTok to shut down its operations within Canada, directing the social media platform to close its offices in Toronto and Vancouver.

Despite the office closures, Canadian users will continue to have access to the app itself.

The decision was announced following a national security review led by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that TikTok’s activities posed a threat to national security, though he declined to provide specific details.

“We came to the conclusion that these activities… would be injurious to national security,” Champagne told CBC News, underscoring the seriousness of the government’s actions.

TikTok has voiced strong opposition to the order, vowing to challenge it in court. A spokesperson for TikTok argued that the closure will lead to significant job losses and stated, “Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest.”

The move follows Canada’s previous restrictions on TikTok, including a ban from government-issued devices in 2023 due to privacy and security concerns.

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has faced similar scrutiny from the U.S. government, which has also considered further restrictions over national security concerns.

TikTok maintains that it will continue to serve Canadian users on its platform, allowing creators to connect and businesses to operate.

However, the dispute between TikTok and Canadian authorities signals ongoing tensions between governments and the app’s China-based parent company.


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