Solar energy innovator Henri Nyakarundi with his portable mobile charging kiosk in Rwanda.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy ARED

Power of the sun —

Solar energy innovator Henri Nyakarundi with his portable mobile charging kiosk in Rwanda.

Nyakarundi said he wanted to do something that not only solves a practical problem -- charging empty cell phones -- but also has a social impact by creating micro businesses for people.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Tom Gilks/ARED

Nyakarundi said he wanted to do something that not only solves a practical problem -- charging empty cell phones -- but also has a social impact by creating micro businesses for people.

In a recent development, Nyakarundi has decided to make the franchising opportunity free for women and those with disabilities. "They are the most vulnerable group in Africa," said the businessman.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Tom Gilks

In a recent development, Nyakarundi has decided to make the franchising opportunity free for women and those with disabilities. "They are the most vulnerable group in Africa," said the businessman.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy ARED

A brand new prototype, developed in Germany with funding from Microsoft and software company Autodesk, will launch this autumn, offering wifi and intranet services to rural communities.

Nyakarundi's kiosks are designed for places with high footfall, such as bus stops and marketplaces.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy ARED

Nyakarundi's kiosks are designed for places with high footfall, such as bus stops and marketplaces.

The bulk of ARED's revenue comes from advertising on the side of the kiosks, which can also be rented out to charities such as the Red Cross, pictured.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy ARED

The bulk of ARED's revenue comes from advertising on the side of the kiosks, which can also be rented out to charities such as the Red Cross, pictured.

Other African start ups using solar energy to reach customers off the grid include M-KOPA Solar, a Kenyan company that has launched a low-energy solar television.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy M-KOPA Solar/ALLAN GICHIGI

Other African start ups using solar energy to reach customers off the grid include M-KOPA Solar, a Kenyan company that has launched a low-energy solar television.

As well as televisions, M-KOPA Solar provides solar solutions for radios, lighting and other appliances for customers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy M-KOPA Solar/ALLAN GICHIGI

As well as televisions, M-KOPA Solar provides solar solutions for radios, lighting and other appliances for customers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Ugandan company Kiira Motors has launched Africa's first solar powered bus -- and plans to expand the country's solar vehicle industry.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Kiira Motors Corporation

Ugandan company Kiira Motors has launched Africa's first solar powered bus -- and plans to expand the country's solar vehicle industry.

The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Kiira Motors Corporation

The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.

South Africa's George Airport has become the first on the continent to be powered by solar energy. It harnesses 41% of its energy from the sun.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy George Airport

South Africa's George Airport has become the first on the continent to be powered by solar energy. It harnesses 41% of its energy from the sun.

In Rwanda, an Africa-shaped 8.5 megawatt solar plant east of Kigali came into full production in December 2015. It has boosted the country's electricity capacity by 6%.

Photos: Africa's solar start-ups

PHOTO: Courtesy Gigawatt Global

In Rwanda, an Africa-shaped 8.5 megawatt solar plant east of Kigali came into full production in December 2015. It has boosted the country's electricity capacity by 6%.

Story highlights

Mobile solar-powered kiosks can charge up to 80 cell phones at a time

Though 70% of Rwandas have a mobile phone, only 18% have electricity

New model will bring wifi and intranet to rural communities

(CNN) —

Henri Nyakarundi never wanted a job.

Born to refugee parents from Rwanda, he grew up in Burundi until civil war again forced the family to move on. Relocating to the US, Nyakarundi studied computer science at Georgia State University and by 19 had founded his first start up.

“I was not a job type of guy,” laughed the entrepreneur. “I think it’s my personality, I’ve always liked to make my own decisions.”

Yet his product – a solar-powered mobile kiosk that charges cell phones and connects communities – aims to create thousands of jobs across Africa.

READ: Kenyan company launches solar TV

It has received numerous energy innovation awards and grants from the likes of Microsoft.

PHOTO: Tom Gilks/ARED

Solar kiosk franchisee, Jeanne Marie Uhiriwe, on the streets of Kigali, Rwanda

“My vision is to create at least 50,000 to 100,000 micro businesses across Africa,” Nyakarundi told CNN.

“It’s doable. You’re looking at a population that’s going to double in the next 25 to 30 years.”

The idea

Returning to Rwanda or Burundi for holidays, Nyakarundi noticed that while many people had cell phones they often struggled to charge them.

In Rwanda, industry analysis estimates that roughly 70% of the population have a cell phone, yet only 18% have access to electricity, according to the World Bank.

Sketching the first design on a piece of paper, the entrepreneur devised a solar-powered kiosk that can be towed by bicycle and provides simultaneous charging for up to 80 phones.

Business in a box

His company, African Renewable Energy Distributor (ARED), operates under a micro-franchising system that leases the kiosks to agents.

Micro franchisees earn money from mobile charging and selling add-ons such as mobile credit, government certificates and prepaid electricity.

“It’s a business in a box,” said Nyakarundi, who moved back to Rwanda in 2012 once his prototype was ready. “I was looking to do something that would not only solve a problem but also had a social impact by creating micro businesses for people.”

02:32 - Source: CNN

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