By Dipo Olowookere

A credit facility worth $80 million but fully Naira-denominated has been secured by Sun King to deepen solar access in Nigeria through its pay-as-you-go model.

The loan was facilitated by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Stanbic IBTC Bank, with the former contributing $50 million.

Through the funding support, off-grid customers will access affordable solar solutions through Sun King in Nigeria.

The reason for providing the loan in local currency is to protect Sun King from foreign exchange risks, allowing its clients and customers to pay in small instalments, which improves affordability and capital efficiency, particularly for low-income and rural consumers.

The investment supports the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030.

The facility falls under Sun King’s Sustainable Financing Framework, which has received a ‘Very Good’ Sustainable Quality Score from Moody’s, recognising its strong contribution to sustainability and climate goals.

Via flexible pay-as-you-go payment options, customers repay the cost of solar systems over 12 to 24 months through daily, weekly, or monthly instalments. Customers can pay as little as $0.21 a day via mobile money or cash.

This model lowers the financial barrier to clean energy and broadens access among underserved communities. To date, Sun King has extended $1.2 billion in loans to its customers across Africa.

In Nigeria, where nearly 40 per cent of the population lacks access to electricity, demand for affordable solar solutions is growing rapidly. The facility will support Sun King’s expansion in the country, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

“Millions of Nigerians still live without reliable access to electricity, which limits opportunity and undermines resilience.

“This investment enables scalable local-currency solutions that empower households and businesses with clean, affordable solar power.

“Beyond energy access, it supports rural employment, boosts productivity, and brings us closer to our shared goal of inclusive, sustainable development,” the IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, Dahlia Khalifa, stated.

“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to strengthen our partnership with Sun King through this transformative $80 million facility, which will empower millions of Nigerians with access to clean, reliable, and affordable solar energy who would otherwise struggle to access power.

“This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering innovative solutions that address critical energy challenges in Nigeria while driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for underserved communities.

“By enabling households and small businesses to access solar power through flexible financing options, we are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for Nigeria,” the chief executive of Stanbic Bank IBTC Capital Limited, Oladele Sotubo, said.

The co-founder of Sun King, Anish Thakkar, said, “Off-grid solar provides the fastest and most scalable pathway to universal electrification across Africa.

“This investment exemplifies the kind of bold, all-hands-on-deck approach required to deliver reliable, affordable energy to millions at the pace Mission 300 calls for.

“With structured financing tailored to local needs, we can dismantle affordability barriers and scale up the proven impact of off-grid solar solutions. We commend IFC and Standard Bank for their leadership in advancing sustainable energy access.”

Sun King is a leading off-grid solar provider, which designs, distributes, and finances solar systems across over 40 countries.

With a network of more than 29,500 agents across Africa, the company has sold over 27 million solar products.

The company sells a range of cost-effective solar products, from solar home systems that offer multi-room lighting and phone charging to powerful rooftop solar systems that provide power equity with the grid.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The customer experience (CX) platform of Zoho Corporation has been updated with new features designed to make CRM more accessible across organisations, not just for sales teams.

The global technology company in a statement said the platform has now been embedded with powerful new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and workflow orchestration features, driven by its in-house AI engine, Zia.

It stated that CRM for Everyone is now generally available globally, with enhanced Zia capabilities and new features like Connected Records and Connected Workflows.

The platform now features several agentic AI capabilities through Zia, allowing users to issue natural language prompts to generate reports instantly, with the ability to review, pause, and edit in real time.

Zia also enables custom module creation using plain language, allowing non-technical users to set up field types, permissions, and module structures effortlessly. Creating workflows is similarly simplified – Zia acts on behalf of the user to automate tasks.

Additionally, a unique “Image to Canvas” tool lets users convert images into functional design elements within the CRM interface, enhancing visual customisation.

The company also stated that CRM for Everyone now has Connected Records and Connected Workflows.

Connected Records automatically link tasks and data across departments, ensuring continuity throughout the customer journey, while Connected Workflows orchestrate tasks across multiple teams, enabling sales, marketing, onboarding, account management, finance, and legal departments to stay aligned with seamless access to contextual information. This ensures customers receive consistent experiences at every interaction point.

“Many people across departments need access to customer information, yet CRMs have traditionally been limited to sales.

“With CRM for Everyone, we’re democratising access and simplifying system use through Zia’s capabilities. Anyone can now create reports, workflows, or even redesign their CRM interface using simple prompts,” the Country Head of Zoho Nigeria, Mr Kehinde Ogundare, stated.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A prominent phone maker, Tecno, has launched Camon 40 Premier 5G to revolutionise mobile photography and everyday smartphone use.

The new product from the global innovative technology brand is armed with AI-powered imaging, seamless 5G connectivity, and high-speed performance, driven by an advanced MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor.

It is marketed in Nigeria by Transsion, and is available at authorized Tecno retail outlets and platforms across the nation.

“The CAMON 40 Premier 5G represents a major leap forward in mobile photography and processing power.

“With MediaTek’s flagship-level Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset, users can experience effortless multitasking, smoother gaming, and superior energy efficiency.

“Whether you’re capturing cinematic videos or taking photos in motion with the AI FlashSnap, this device adapts intelligently to your needs by delivering consistently brilliant results with ease,” the chief executive of Transsion, Mr Chidi Okonkwo, said.

Business Post reports that the Camon 40 Series features four models; Camon 40, Camon 40 Pro, Camon 40 Pro 5G, and Camon 40 Premier 5G, each equipped with powerful capabilities to meet the evolving needs of modern smartphone users.

The Premier 5G, in particular, stands out with its advanced imaging system and performance technology tailored for creatives, tech-savvy users and those who value both aesthetics and functionality.

It is also equipped with a Sony IMX890 50MP OIS main camera, accompanied by a 50MP 2x portrait lens and a 114-degree ultra-wide 50MP autofocus camera.

Together, they enable DSLR-level photography, including professional-grade portraits, expansive landscapes and stunning low-light shots.

Additionally, the AI FlashSnap function ensures rapid, ultra-clear image capture even in dynamic scenarios, perfect for content creators and everyday users alike.

On the performance front, the MediaTek Dimensity 83500 Ultimate delivers flagship-level computing with an ultra-efficient 4nm architecture. The processor is built for sustained power, enabling high-speed 5G connectivity, vivid graphics rendering and real-time AI enhancements without draining battery life.

The Camon 40 Premier 5G also includes a vibrant AMOLED display, a vibration-sensing in-display fingerprint scanner, and a 5100mAh battery with 70W ultra-fast charging, providing a sleek yet powerful device that fits effortlessly into modern lifestyles.

With the Camon 40 Series, Tecno continues to redefine what a smartphone can achieve by combining cutting-edge technology with elegant design and unmatched affordability.