Ivory coast – Accelerating access to off-grid solar energy through receivables securitization

Context

In sub-Saharan Africa, over 600 million people still have no access to a reliable source of electricity. To meet this energy emergency, off-grid solar solutions are rapidly developing. What is needed, however, are appropriate financial mechanisms to deploy them on a large scale.

The challenge

How can we massively finance the distribution of solar kits to rural and unbanked populations, while securing revenue flows in a context of high perceived risk for investors?

Our solution

Neot Offgrid Africa (NOA) has launched the first debt securitization program in the off-grid renewable energy sector in Africa, in partnership with Zola Électricité Côte d’Ivoire (ZECI), a joint venture between EDF and Zola Electric.

Objective: to finance over 100,000 home solar kits, primarily in rural areas.

NOA assumes the financial risk of the operation through a rent-to-own model: customers become owners of the equipment at the end of the rental contract. Payments are made via mobile money, a system accessible even without a bank account.

Results & Impact

• A €40 million operation with direct impact on 100,000 households.
• Financing structured in CFA francs with an adjustable loan from SGCI.
• A concrete response to energy needs, aligned with social and environmental criteria monitored by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation.
• A first-of-its-kind on the continent, setting a precedent for asset financing in renewable energy.

Why Neot

• Financial innovation: a pioneering securitization mechanism for this segment in Africa.
• Risk management: end-to-end structuring led by Neot, with the support of leading banking partners.
• Local commitment: measurable impact for populations underserved by traditional energy networks.
• Strategic partnerships: with EDF, Meridiam, Forsee Power… ensuring a robust and coordinated approach to the energy transition.