Household energy remains an unquestionable basic need, and the ability to provide a reliable, affordable service is being tested by the current Covid-19 crisis.

Bboxx is an established solar provider that designs, manufactures, distributes, and finances solar energy systems to provide solar electricity to communities, cities and countries around the world. Shell Foundation, with co-funding from the UK government and USAID, has supported the company since 2017.

To understand its customers’ needs, Bboxx quickly conducted research and collected data to understand how lives are being impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19.

Reacting to the results, Bboxx is offering bonus energy when customers make payments – to encourage good payment discipline and ensure the lights stay on for its customers during this difficult time. They have also reduced the minimum number of payments required for switch-on for customers who have fallen behind due to the pandemic.

They also began rolling out training to staff with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This training includes their call centre agents in DRC who are able to provide accurate information on the virus to its customers whilst maintaining lockdown conditions.

It is encouraging to see how our portfolio, including Bboxx, is responding to the crisis, putting the needs of the most vulnerable front and centre of their covid19 response, as well as building in-house capacity to strengthen the fight against the virus.