Revolutionary Battery Rental Solutions: The Key to Liberating Nigerians from Generators

Despite Nigeria having abundant energy reserves, over 92 million people in the country lack access to electricity, as reported by the International Energy Agency. Moreover, even those connected to the electricity grid experience regular power outages, resulting in an annual cost of $28 billion for the country, equivalent to nearly 2% of its GDP. Consequently, a significant number of Nigerians depend on petrol and diesel to operate their generators and meet their residential and commercial energy needs.

Generators, being noisy, expensive, and harmful to the environment, have become problematic. Fuel shortages have also become a pressing concern, particularly evident in Nigeria's recent presidential election, making generator usage even more challenging.

In response, entrepreneur Olugbenga Olubanjo has introduced a viable alternative. Through his company Reeddi, he offers the rental service of compact and portable solar-powered batteries termed "Reeddi Capsules." These innovative devices have the capability to power various electronics such as televisions, laptops, and refrigerators.

Reeddi emerged as a finalist for the prestigious Earthshot Prize presented by Prince William, acknowledging commendable initiatives aimed at resolving environmental challenges. The Prince of Wales emphasized during a podcast that "the capsule will profoundly impact communities grappling with energy poverty."

Reeddi was one of the finalists for Prince William's Earthshot Prize.

“I felt obliged to do something”

Olubanjo, who grew up in Nigeria, experienced the challenge of power cuts while studying engineering at the University of Ibadan. However, his time as a postgraduate at the University of Toronto in Canada provided him with access to electricity, greatly increasing his productivity. This stark contrast in energy availability also became evident when communicating with his family and friends back home, as their power would frequently go off during phone conversations. Recognizing the inequality in energy access within his community, Olubanjo felt a strong sense of obligation to take action.

Reeddi Capsules can be purchased for 199,000 Nigerian Naira (approximately $430) along with a solar panel. Alternatively, they can be rented from local "mom-and-pop shops" for a period of 24 hours at a cost of around 50 cents. These capsules are powered by Reeddi's solar panels. According to Olubanjo, a single battery can supply power to a television for approximately five hours or a 15-watt fan for 15 hours.

courtesy Roam

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Using the capsule is significantly more costly than utilizing mains electricity, but it is frequently more economical than relying on a generator. According to Joel Jewell, a trader in Ogun State, he utilizes the capsule on a daily basis to charge his laptop and phone. Without it, he is compelled to depend on his generator during the frequent power outages. "Sometimes, we don't even have power for two hours," he stated. "Having Reeddi come is like an answered prayer."

At present, the batteries are exclusively accessible in Nigeria, where they serve over 1,600 individuals, predominantly in Lagos and Ogun State. However, across the entirety of the continent, over 600 million individuals lack access to electricity, as reported by the International Energy Agency.

A single Reeddi Capsule has the ability to provide power to a television for approximately five hours or a 15-watt fan for a duration of 15 hours. Olubanjo mentioned that several organizations from countries like Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa have shown their interest in the Reeddi Capsule. He added that their priority is currently focused on improving and perfecting the product in Nigeria before expanding its reach to other parts of Africa.

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Reeddi is not the sole provider of battery packs as an alternative to generators. Mobile Power, a UK-based company, offers battery rentals in various countries such as Nigeria, Zambia, and Ghana. According to Anita Otubu, a senior director at Sustainable Energy for All, a UN-affiliated organization aiming to enhance energy accessibility, companies like Reeddi play a crucial role in alleviating Nigeria's energy access gap.

However, she mentions that in order for Reeddi to expand its business, it must either reduce the cost of battery rentals or enhance the capacity of each system. This would allow Nigerians to receive better value for their money when they invest in such systems.

According to Olubanjo, the most significant hurdle for the company is meeting the increasing demand. It currently takes three to four months to manufacture each batch of batteries. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about Reeddi's potential to make a broader impact.

"The goal is to make the future (brighter) for a lot of Nigerians and Africans," he said.