D.light, a leading innovator of solar energy products, has raised US$10 million in equity financing from Proparco. This latest funding will enable the expansion of the company’s solar and Pay-Go consumer finance business in Africa.
Commenting on the investment, d.light co-founder and CEO Ned Tozun said, “We are excited to have Proparco as a d.light shareholder. Proparco’s alignment with our mission and commitment to job creation and development makes them an ideal partner for d.light as we begin our next phase of growth.
“We have great confidence that we will continue to accelerate and deepen this impact, as we expand our geographic footprint and product portfolio to delight our customers. The future is truly bright for d.light and the off-grid solar industry as a whole.”
Damien Braud, Head of Equity – Africa & Middle East said, “Supporting companies dedicated to improving access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy is one of Proparco’s top priorities. We are impressed by d.light’s track record in meeting evolving customer needs for access to electricity across both Africa and Asia.
“Their experienced team has developed efficient sales and distribution channels in these markets and continues to expand their product range. We look forward to supporting the company to realize its growth ambitions.”
Since its founding in 2006 and with offices in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda; d.light has provided solar energy to more than 100 million people in 70 countries.
Their extensive product line ranges from extremely affordable portable solar lanterns to solar home systems that can power multiple lights, mobile phones, and small appliances, including a flat-screen television.
d.light’s solar solutions have won multiple international awards for their innovation and design and are sold through more than 30,000 outlets around the world—the largest existing distribution network for these types of products.
With a strong emphasis on product quality and customer service since its earliest days, d.light has built up a loyal customer base in emerging markets. d.light continues to profitably sell hundreds of thousands of units per month while maintaining excellent quality at scale.
