Bboxx, the data-driven utility platform has relocated its headquarters from London to Kigali. The news was announced at the UK-Rwanda Business Forum. This is a unique move given startups tend to move headquarters from Africa to Europe.
Bboxx also announced plans to train nearly 1000 Rwandans in the next 5 years and invest USD$100 million in the country. This is part of the company’s goal to reach 36 million people by 2028. The USD$100 million investment from Bbox is a result of partnership with EnerTech. The partnership was announced in December 2023.
Founded in 2010, Bboxx has evolved from addressing energy needs to offering a range of essential products and services, including clean cooking solutions, water pumps, smartphones, and electric vehicles.
Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-Founder of Bboxx, said:“In our journey to revolutionise access to essential products and services across Africa, it’s only fitting that we position ourselves at the heart of the continent. This move to Kigali not only brings us closer to the communities we serve but also cements our commitment to be an Africa-first, data-driven super platform, transforming lives and unlocking potential at an unprecedented scale.”
Bboxx Growth
In the last 13 years, Bboxx has expanded into 11 African markets. It boasts of being the source of electricity for about 10% of Rwandese households. It’s products portfolio include pay-as-you go clean cooking energy. In Kenya, the company partnered with Startimes in a move targeting rural Kenyans seeking access to digital TV.
Rwanda itself has grown and is pushing it’s weight as a tech hub in Africa. Only last week, Chinese EV company BYD officially launched it’s operations in Rwanda. Taking advantage of the favourable taxes tailored for e-mobility sector BasiGo also launched operations in Rwanda last year.
Kigali is working on an upcoming Start-up Act and is the first sub Saharan country to draft AI regulations. Kigali also offers easy access to the rest of Africa and has friendly Visa policies.
