Brands/Products
Orange Energies, Koolboks to Offer Solar Freezers in Mali, 11 Others
By Adedapo Adesanya
Orange Energies has signed a strategic partnership with a startup company, Koolboks, to provide freezing and refrigeration solutions in 12 African countries where it now operates.
The solution will be available in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, with plans to launch in two new countries by 2024.
The collaboration aims to make essential services accessible on a continent where 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity. Koolboks offers both professionals and individuals refrigerators and freezers that are equipped with solar panels and batteries ensuring up to three days of total autonomy.
The solar equipment also includes LED bulbs and USB ports, which make it possible to charge various electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets. The new product will provide families with lighting and will enable them to generate additional income by opening small businesses (such as local shops or hairdressers). By enabling greater autonomy, both companies believe the service will ultimately contribute to the development of local communities.
Koolboks solar freezers will be first marketed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and soon in the 11 other countries where Orange Energies is deployed.
Through its digital platform, Orange Smart Energies, Orange Energies allows households not otherwise connected to the electricity grid to acquire solar-energy solutions on a pay-as-you-go basis.
With the use of a split payment system, thousands of families will be able to use Orange Money over their mobile phones to pay for the service and become owners of solar installations and the equipment connected to them. They can then use this to provide lighting, conserve food and develop commercial activities.
It also makes Orange the first telco operator to sign an agreement of this scale contributing to the development of income-generating activities (AGR) in rural areas through clean electrification solutions. This is in line with the seventh goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development objectives.
Speaking on this, Mr Nat-Sy Missamou, Senior Vice President of Africa and Middle East at Orange Energies, said, “Since 2018, Orange Energies has been a partner for all energy producers. Alongside solar power producers, national electricity operators and mini-grid managers, we are deploying our pay-as-you-go platform, Orange Smart Energies, to make clean and affordable energy accessible to as many people as possible.
“This partnership marks our entry into a new phase in which our ambition, after giving access to essential services, is to allow families to take control of the development of their communities. This partnership marks the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.”
On his part, Mr Ayoola Dominic, founder, and CEO of Koolboks, said, “Koolboks is proud to partner with Orange to distribute our solar freezers. This product was designed to meet a need and allow small traders, and families to store food and have light in off-grid areas. With this partnership, we will be able to offer this luxury in many countries and regions simultaneously.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
