The World Bank, through its project appraisal document for off-grid solar access, heaps praise on the vibrancy of Kenya’s private sector-led solar projects. Kenya is the birthplace of a flourishing private solar industry, including the innovative pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model. Many companies started their solar business in Kenya and since then have expanded into other markets, the World Bank says. The exploding demand for off-grid solar power solutions in remote villages gave rise to equipment vendors like Nairobi-based M-Kopa and attracted multinationals such as UK firm Azuri Technologies, Indian company Orb Energy and Germany-based Mobisol.

Azuri Technologies, a leading commercial provider of PayGo Solar Home Systems for rural off-grid homes, was named in the Red Herring Top 100 Europe. A prestigious list honouring the year’s most promising private technology ventures from the European business region. The Red Herring editorial team selected the most innovative companies from a pool of hundreds from across Europe. The nominees were evaluated on a quantitative and qualitative criterion, which included disruptive impact, market footprint, proof of concept, financial performance, technology innovation, social value, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their respective industries.