Togo: Beam to help EDF acquire stake in Bboxx Togo

Energy

Thursday, 08 November 2018 14:25

Togo: Beam to help EDF acquire stake in Bboxx Togo

(Togo First) - Beam, an investment platform created by private equity firm Bamboo, has partnered with French energy giant EDF to inject funds in Bboxx Togo, subsidiary of the eponymous British firm specialized in solar systems.

Though the transaction’s amount is yet to be disclosed, it will allow EDF to acquire 50% of Bboxx Togo, as agreed last month, and help Bboxx to expand its footprint in the West African nation. In effect, Bboxx will use the investment to provide more than 300,000 households, which is nearly two million Togolese, with solar power by 2022, under the CIZO project.

The French firm will assist the British technically towards improving installation of solar systems that the latter plans to deploy. This is a major step for BEAM, said for his part Jean-Philippe de Scherevel, founder and associate of Bamboo.

“Beam was created with a clear vision which is attracting major investments to off-grid power projects in developing countries, which Togo is part of,” added the head of the equity firm.

Meanwhile, for Mansoor Hamayun, CEO of Bboxx, “Beam’s investment in Bboxx Togo will be key to produce expected impact”.

Bboxx has been operating in Togo since 2017 and has already provided access to power to 26,000 Togolese residents, through the CIZO program which it partners with. It has opened about 20 stores in the country and employs around hundred people. Its domestic solar systems include solar panels with batteries. These can be paid for with mobile money.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.