Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Anua-Batteries is a solar-powered portable battery pack solution made from second-life batteries and recycled plastic bottles. It allows households and businesses to remain powered even during electricity outages, providing lighting for up to 17 hours.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Anua-Batteries is a solar-powered portable battery pack solution that addresses the lack of reliable electricity access in rural African communities. Each battery pack is made from 20 non-biodegradable plastic bottles, 40 repurposed lithium-ion laptop batteries. This composition allows each battery pack to reduce CO2 emissions by 0.21 tons. The batteries operate on a rental model, where customers can rent a battery pack from Anua-Solar's local office. They can use the battery for up to 17 hours, powering 3 LED bulbs (150 lumens each) for 8 hours, fully charging 3 mobile phones (3W each), or running a 50W TV for 4 hours or a 60W laptop for 4 hours. After use, the customer returns the battery to be recharged using Anua-Solar's on-site solar panels. This ensures a continuous cycle of battery usage and recharging, allowing households and small businesses to remain powered even during electricity outages.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem that Anua-Batteries is trying to solve is the lack of reliable electricity access in rural African communities. In Cameroon, over 81% of households do not have access to the electricity grid, relying on dangerous and inefficient alternatives such as kerosene lamps, candles, and polluting generators. Kerosene lamps, in particular, are a major issue, causing an estimated 600,000 deaths across the African continent each year due to the toxic fumes they emit. Generators, while more powerful, are also highly polluting and the cost of fuel makes them unaffordable for many households in cameroon earning less than 6000FCFA per day. In the Cameroon, for example, the daily cost of running a generator (12,000FCFA) is simply unrealistic for the majority of the population. This lack of access to reliable electricity has significant impacts on people's lives, limiting their ability to work, study, and access information.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Reliable and clean electricity access: The solar-powered battery packs provide a consistent and sustainable source of electricity, unlike the hazardous and polluting alternatives of kerosene lamps, candles, and diesel generators. This allows households and businesses to remain powered during outages, supporting their daily activities and productivity. Cost-effectiveness: Through its rental model, Anua-Batteries offers an affordable electricity solution for rural customers. Business owners can rent a battery pack for just $2(1,200frs) per day, and households can purchase a unit for $250(30,000frs) - a significant savings compared to the ongoing fuel costs of generators. Environmental sustainability: Anua-Batteries' solution is designed with sustainability in mind. By using second-life laptop batteries and recycled plastic bottles, the our startup is able to reduce its carbon footprint.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Reliable and clean electricity access: The solar-powered battery packs provide a consistent and sustainable source of electricity, unlike the hazardous and polluting alternatives of kerosene lamps, candles, and diesel generators. This allows households and businesses to remain powered during outages, supporting their daily activities and productivity. Cost-effectiveness: Through its rental model, Anua-Batteries offers an affordable electricity solution for rural customers. Business owners can rent a battery pack for just 1200frs per day, and households can purchase a unit for 30,000frs - a significant savings compared to the ongoing fuel costs of generators. Environmental sustainability: Anua-Batteries' solution is designed with sustainability in mind. By using second-life laptop batteries and recycled plastic bottles, the our startup is able to reduce its carbon footprint.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-12-14

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Afopezi Moses is a multifaceted individual with expertise spanning telecommunications engineering, startups, and education. As the co-founder and COO of Anua-Batteries, he brings a wealth of technical knowledge and entrepreneurial experience to the venture. Currently pursuing an electronic engineering degree at the University of Buea, Afopezi's academic background complements his practical skills, enabling him to drive innovation in Anua-Batteries' solar energy solutions. With a track record of successful project delivery in the education sector, Afopezi's diverse skillset and entrepreneurial drive make him a valuable asset to the Anua-Batteries team. Anoneme Houreynatou is an experienced engineer of post and telecommunications, with a 4-year background in product design and solutions. As the product design expert at Anua-Batteries, she leverages her technical expertise to drive innovation in the startup solar energy solutions. Anonem's strong skills in product design and development

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Yes, the Anua-Batteries project directly targets Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 The portable battery packs provide a reliable source of electricity for households and businesses in rural areas that currently lack access to the grid. This helps increase overall electrification rates and ensures more people have access to modern energy services. In addition, the rental and purchase models of the Anua-Batteries solution make it an affordable option for low-income customers, who would otherwise struggle to afford or maintain traditional fossil fuel-based power sources like generators. Lastly, the core of the Anua-Batteries solution is solar power, a renewable and clean energy source. This aligns with the emphasis on renewable energy in SDG 7, helping to increase the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Yes, our solution also targets Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: To begin, by providing reliable access to electricity, our batteries solution allows businesses and shops to remain open and operational at night, increasing their productivity and income-generating potential. This supports sustained and inclusive economic growth in rural communities. Secondly, our business model creates new job opportunities, both directly within the startup and indirectly through the expanded economic activities of their customers. This includes roles such as battery distribution, maintenance, and customer support. Lastly, the increased access to electricity and internet connectivity from our solution can support skill development, education, and information access, helping to create more productive and engaged workforces in these underserved communities.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Yes, the Anua-Batteries solution also aligns with and targets Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. The portable, solar-powered battery packs provide a reliable and resilient energy infrastructure for rural communities, ensuring access to electricity even during power outages or grid instability. This helps build the overall infrastructure resilience in these areas. Moreover, by utilizing repurposed and recycled materials, such as second-life laptop batteries and plastic bottles, in the production of their battery packs, Anua-Batteries is promoting more sustainable and resource-efficient industrial practices.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Yes our solution targets SDG10, By targeting rural and off-grid communities in Cameroon and accross Africa, which often have lower incomes and limited access to essential services, our solution is helping to reduce the inequality in energy access between urban and rural areas. In additon to this, the rental and purchase models of the Anua-Batteries solution make it more financially accessible for low-income households and small businesses. This helps bridge the gap in affordability and accessibility to clean energy solutions between different income groups.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Our batteries perfectly aligns with and supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 Anua-Batteries utilizes a circular economy model by repurposing and recycling materials in the production of its battery packs. The use of second-life laptop batteries and recycled plastic bottles demonstrates a commitment to sustainable production and consumption patterns. By reusing and recycling materials, our project is able to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills or incineration. This helps address the issue of plastic pollution and the environmental impact of electronic waste.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By providing a clean, solar-powered energy alternative to fossil fuel-based sources like kerosene lamps and diesel generators, the Anua-Batteries solution helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Each battery pack is estimated to save 0.21 tons of CO2, making it a more climate-friendly option. Furthermore, the portable and decentralized nature of the Anua-Batteries solution enhances the energy resilience of rural communities, helping them adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as power outages and grid instability. Lastly, the reuse and recycling of materials, such as second-life laptop batteries and plastic bottles, in the Anua-Batteries solution aligns with the principles of a circular economy, further contributing to reduced environmental impact and climate-friendly practices.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Anua-Batteries' solar-powered battery systems represent a highly innovative solution for providing reliable electricity access to rural African communities. Our solution is specifically designed to address the unique challenges and needs of these off-grid areas, offering durable, weather-resistant, and easy-to-maintain systems that can power essential household and business needs. Crucially, Anua-Batteries has also developed an innovative financing model to make its solutions accessible to low-income families. This, combined with the company's deep understanding of the local context and commitment to community engagement, sets its approach apart from traditional "one-size-fits-all" solar energy providers. Furthermore, Anua-Batteries' products respond directly to an unmet demand for clean, reliable, and affordable electricity, addressing the widespread reliance on hazardous and polluting alternatives like kerosene lamps and diesel generators. In this sense, the company's solar batter

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Anua-Batteries' main competitors in rural Africa are kerosene lanterns and diesel generators. These traditional alternatives pose significant health, safety, and affordability issues for low-income households. What sets Anua-Batteries apart is its innovative solar-powered battery systems. These are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of off-grid communities, with features like durability, easy maintenance, and tailored financing options. Anua-Batteries' deep understanding of the local context and commitment to community engagement also differentiate it from generic solar providers. In addition, our unique financing model, including flexible payment plans and local microfinance partnerships, makes our solution accessible to even the most financially constrained households. This holistic approach to innovation is what makes Anua-Batteries a transformative solution in the energy access market, providing a sustainable, reliable

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, With our project Anua-batteries co, we have been organizing training sessions for women, teaching them sustainable methods to recycle non biodegradable bottles to creat othe very use articles, like flower jars, bulb holders, etc This activity is increasing the amount of women who engage in this field, making a living out of it and creating their own businesses