Steady sales

Shenzhen Power-Solution Ind Co is just one of the Chinese private enterprises working in the solar sector in Africa.

Beebeejump, another company based in Shenzhen, entered the solar energy industry in Nigeria in 2018. It also started by manufacturing basic lighting products, before expanding to sell solar power supply kits generating hundreds of kilowatts of electricity.

Chen Yeying, director of the company, who has vast experience in foreign trade, said: "Our products range from small lighting gadgets to energy storage systems. For example, by putting a solar panel on a roof, users can charge mobile phones and other devices with the help of solar radiation."

Beebeejump has seen steady sales growth. In 2019, its revenue exceeded 10 million yuan ($1.58 million), while last year the figure topped 60 million yuan.

In the next two to three years, Chen expects the company to become the top solar brand in Nigeria's new energy industry. He is targeting three to five African markets within the next five years.

Chen said energy is the cornerstone for the development of a civilization, adding that he hopes to help narrow the energy gap in Africa.

The continent has the greatest solar energy potential in the world. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates Africa's solar energy potential at 60 million terawatt hours, or TWh, per year, compared with 3 million TWh annually for Europe, for example.

"Off-grid electrification will play a vital role in extending electricity access to rural communities, improving economic resilience and also recovery from the pandemic. We hope to solve power supply issues for 3 million people in areas vulnerable to blackouts and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 500,000 tons each year," Chen said.

Companies that solve social problems while achieving sustainable development in business are known as social enterprises.

Jiang Hui, secretary-general of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities, said that as the scale of investment and cooperation between China and Africa continues to rise, social responsibilities become an increasingly important issue in economic and business cooperation.

"Chinese enterprises have helped accelerate the industrialization of Africa and contributed to local communities and economic development," Jiang said.

Li, from Shenzhen Power-Solution Ind Co, said small Chinese businesses operating in Africa are not only lighting up the lives of the most vulnerable, but are also contributing to a better environment.

"This is also in line with the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, which is embedded in the Belt and Road Initiative," she said.

When selling products in Africa, companies need to consider affordability.

Chinese companies, including Beebeejump and Shenzhen Power-Solution, have adopted a pay-as-you-go business model, allowing new customers who lack significant savings or easy access to loans to split the cost of a product at the point of sale into several small installments for repayment over months or even years.

LEMI Technology Development Co, which is based in Shenzhen and focuses on off-grid solar home systems and products in unelectrified areas worldwide, has been looking at more creative ways to make its products available for Africans on low incomes.