Chadian solar company ZiZ Energie has raised an undisclosed amount in funding from Energy Access Ventures to expand its metro grid solar services across Chad, Cameroon and Central Africa.
ZIZ is a market leader in Chad with presence in Norther Cameroon. Founded in 2006 by Ibrahim Zakaria, a Chadian engineer. The company is leveraging their 13 years of experience and profitability to drive an expansion to new cities in Chad, North Cameroon and other Central African countries.
Having successfully operated diesel-powered sites in Chad and Northern Cameroon for the past decade, ZIZ is developing ‘metro-grids’ by hybridizing its diesel-powered installments with solar to extend their distribution network, and reach more people.
CEO Ibrahim Zakaria was very optimistic about the growth saying “We are excited to welcome EAV to Chad. EAV’s investment allows us to execute on our vision of decentralized green energy for Central Africa and our mission to be the main vector in Chad.”
Vladimir Dugin, Principal at EAV stressed the importance of the network and experience of ZIZ saying, “Our investment in ZIZ marks an important step in the acceleration of the energy access revolution across Central Africa’s frontier markets. We are proud to back Ibrahim Zakaria, a Chadian entrepreneur who wields deep knowledge, operational skills and networks. ZIZ team navigates dynamic business contexts and nascent regulatory landscapes to become the clear leader in the region,”
Gills Vermot Desroches, SVP of Sustainable Development for Schneider Electric and investor in EAC highlighted the prior relationship between ZIZ and Schneider as contributing to the success of the growth plans “Schneider has worked closely over the years with ZIZ, the certified national distributor for Schneider in Chad. The company’s energy as a service model perfectly embodies Schneider’s long-term energy access vision in frontier markets. We are excited to expand our partnership with ZIZ across its various business lines including distribution, C&I, EPC services and in particular, the metrogrid hybridizing project,”
Other African startups that have raised funding this year include Trade Depot, SolarX, and African founders who have raised funding include Chipper Cash.