Today’s technology is failing to meet the needs of some 3 billion people without access to reliable electricity. It is also failing to support businesses who are trying to address this need.
Current hardware remains disconnected, distribution-oriented, and unable to enable rapid scale, cost efficiency, and financeability required to build sustainable integration operations, and ultimately, enable community level electrification.
The Challenge
ZOLA’s purpose is to drive our integrator’s scale, operational efficiency, sustainability, and financeability. We do that by partnering with strategic companies who share our vision – to bring reliable, affordable energy to everyone, anywhere.
Scale from individual point solutions to community-level electrification
Operational efficiency enabled through repeatable processes that drive a profitable business model
Sustainable end-to-end energy solutions that maximize value for communities
Financeability enabled by strong growth, sustainability, and remotely managed hardware
How Off-Grid Electric exemplifies the ZOLA Effect
Over 10 years ago, our founders saw a critical need for access to energy that was simply not being met, despite the best efforts of energy services providers to find solutions. ZOLA’s journey began in Arusha, Tanzania, where the grid was not able to meet the growing needs of the people. Businesses were trying in vain to solve this problem, but were only addressing the issue with individual point solutions, unable to scale as the need continued to increase. Expensive, dirty, inefficient and unreliable energy solutions were used to breach the gap between what that grid was providing and the actual needs for energy.
In the beginning, through our integrator arm Off Grid Electric, we were simply providing hardware to address these challenges in Tanzania – helping individuals power their homes in a safe, clean, reliable way. The smart, connected devices (lithium ion batteries and solar) we provided through Off Grid Electric already resulted in a huge improvement to the lives of those without access to a stable energy source, but it was just the beginning.
We realized quickly that in order to truly address the challenges we saw, that we needed a way to scale – and manage the resultant growth in an effective way. With people in remote regions and a lack of infrastructure or manpower to reach them, this was a massive challenge that we sought to overcome.
Born from the challenges faced by our integration operation, Off-Grid Electric, our software has evolved to address the specific needs of both integrators and their customers. By optimizing processes, enhancing efficiency, and improving customer experiences, we became Tanzania’s leading independent energy service provider.
What we saw happen over the course of 10 years was phenomenal growth and expansion, that exemplifies what we seek to achieve as a company, alongside our partner integrators.
How Off-Grid Electric Became Tanzania’s Leading Independent Energy Service Provider
The Challenge
The ZOLA Effect in Action
Scalable software and hardware solutions empower users to expand their energy needs as they grow.
Integrated advanced management tools and analytics optimize efficiency, resolve day-to-day issues promptly, and streamline ops for improved performance.
PAYGo (pay as you go functionality) reduces default rates and improves financial performance and loan performance.
Mobile app that manages and monitors your systems 24/7 and provides effective customer support.
Energy services model empowers businesses to reduce costs, scale, and transform into profitable sustainable energy service providers.
Real results
Today, Off-Grid Electric stands as Tanzania’s leading independent energy service provider, second only to the national grid. Together, we’ve illuminated the lives of over 2 million people, empowering businesses, healthcare facilities, and schools across the nation. This remarkable achievement has earned Tanzania prestigious accolades, including the Best Solar Africa Company of the Year award and the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan award.
ZOLA’s comprehensive platform is the cornerstone of Off-Grid Electric’s success, enabling community-level electrification from rural to commercial multi-site settings. By streamlining the customer journey from installation to upgrades, we’ve driven significant revenue growth and operational efficiency. We’re proud to have played a pivotal role in Off-Grid Electric’s journey towards a sustainable and scalable energy future.
Substantial increase in annual revenue.
Significant margin expansion.
Annual service cost per installation reduced.
Cost of sales decreased.
Strong return on the loan portfolio.
Strong gross profit and EBITDA margins.
ZOLA, through Off-Grid Electric, has demonstrated the power of innovation to transform lives and communities with decentralized energy solutions designed to scale and evolve. And this is what we call: The ZOLA Effect.
Related Insights
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By adopting the ZOLA EDGE system, American Polyclinic aimed to significantly reduce energy costs, enhance reliability, minimize environmental impact, and improve the overall patient experience.
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