Baobab+ Nigeria
Baobab+ Nigeria (Izili Nigeria) distributes PAYGo solar kits, solar refrigerators, cookstoves, and digital tools to off-grid households and micro-entrepreneurs across Nigeria via last-mile agents and microfinance partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLagos, Nigeria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Baobab+ Nigeria does
Baobab+ Nigeria, now operating under the Izili Group brand since September 2025, is the Nigerian arm of a pan-African off-grid energy and digital services distributor serving unelectrified and under-electrified households and micro-entrepreneurs. The company's core offering is a portfolio of distributed solar products, including solar home kits, solar refrigerators, hybrid generators, improved cookstoves, and smartphones, with energy access positioned as the entry point for a broader suite of digital products such as those distributed through the DECIM program.
The operating model is Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) financing, in which customers pay for hardware and digital services via small, recurring mobile-money installments rather than upfront cash purchases. Go-to-market is last-mile, executed through a network of trained agents and partner institutions, including telecom operators and microfinance banks such as LAPO in Nigeria, BOA Senegal, COFINA, REMUCI, and NSIA Assurances. Remote monitoring and activation technology enforces the credit contract by enabling the operator to disable hardware when payments lapse.
The Nigerian entity is a regional subsidiary within Izili Group, a six-country African platform that was acquired as a majority-owned subsidiary of BioLite in April 2025 and that completed the acquisition of Qotto in January 2026 to add Benin and Burkina Faso. Group headcount is approximately 11,000 employees across the six markets, while the Nigerian subsidiary is described as 11-50 employees in firmographic terms, consistent with its role as a country-level operating unit within a larger group structure headquartered in Paris with Lagos as the regional hub.
Baobab+ Nigeria firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Baobab+ Nigeria
- Legal name
- Izili S.A.S.
- Website
- https://baobabplus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Baobab+ Nigeria (Izili Nigeria) distributes PAYGo solar kits, solar refrigerators, cookstoves, and digital tools to off-grid households and micro-entrepreneurs across Nigeria via last-mile agents and microfinance partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Baobab+ Nigeria industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Off-grid solar energy and clean cooking products
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)
Keywords
Where Baobab+ Nigeria is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lagos
- HQ country
- Nigeria
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Baobab+ Nigeria business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Solar Product Sales (PAYGo): Sale of solar home systems, kits, lanterns, TVs, and phone charging devices through PAYGo financing — customers pay deposits and incremental installments via Mobile Money until they own the product. Also includes outright cash sales.
- Solar Refrigerator / Freezer Sales: Sale of solar-powered refrigeration units for small businesses (fish sellers, butchers, beverage vendors), available through PAYGo or cash purchase.
- Clean Cookstove Sales: Improved biomass cookstoves sold to households to reduce charcoal use, smoke emissions, and cooking costs.
- Smartphone and Digital Product Sales: Distribution of smartphones and digital devices through PAYGo financing in partnership with telecom operators (Orange, MTN, Airtel).
- Hybrid Generator Sales: Sale of hybrid power generators targeting entrepreneurs for powering phones, computers, fans. Available through PAYGo credit with Baobab.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Kits — entry-level to mid-range solar home systems |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Products — smartphones and devices |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Refrigerators and Freezers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Improved Cookstoves |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Baobab+ Nigeria product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Baobab+ Nigeria (operating as Izili Nigeria since the September 2025 group rebranding) distributes off-grid solar energy systems, solar refrigerators/freezers, hybrid generators, improved cookstoves, smartphones and digital products to rural and peri-urban households and small entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Products are financed primarily through a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) model with mobile money installments (Ndank Ndank / Molo Molo), allowing customers to make small deposits and incremental daily, weekly or monthly payments until they own the equipment. Distribution is delivered through thousands of field agents and partnerships with microfinance institutions (notably LAPO's 500+ branches) and telecom operators.
Product overview
Izili (formerly Baobab+) is a last-mile distributor of solar energy systems and digital tools in Africa, offering a comprehensive portfolio of off-grid energy and digital products. The core product offerings include Solar Kits (ranging from compact systems with lamps and phone charging to larger systems powering TVs and appliances), Solar Refrigerators for cold storage, Hybrid Generators with 10+ year lifespans, Improved Cookstoves (reducing smoke by 4x and charcoal by 3x), and Smartphones with flexible Ndank Ndank payment plans. All products can be financed through the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) system, enabling customers to make affordable weekly or monthly mobile money payments until they own the product outright. The company operates across 6 African countries (Senegal, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso), leveraging partnerships with microfinance institutions for distribution and mobile network operators (Orange, MTN) for digital products. Since 2015, the company has empowered over 2.5 million people through accessible financing and last-mile distribution networks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Solar Kits Off-grid solar energy solutions providing immediate access to affordable, clean, and reliable electricity for rural and peri-urban households. Systems include solar panels, battery, lights, phone charging capabilities, and often appliances like TV. Available with PAYGo financing options.
- Solar Refrigerators Solar-powered cold storage solutions enabling businesses to preserve products longer, reduce losses, and generate additional income. Particularly valuable in areas without reliable grid electricity for storing medicines, beverages, meats, fish, and ice.
- Hybrid Generators Innovative power generation solutions designed to meet diverse entrepreneurial needs. Features include ability to power smartphones, computers, fans and other devices with a lifespan of over 10 years and minimal maintenance requirements.
- Improved Cookstoves Clean cooking solutions that reduce charcoal consumption by 3 times and smoke emissions by 4 times compared to traditional cookstoves. Enable faster cooking while protecting health and the environment.
- Smartphones Quality smartphones distributed through partner networks (Orange, MTN, Baobab) with flexible Ndank Ndank payment plans, enabling digital access and inclusion for underserved populations.
- Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) Financing Financing solution that extends product accessibility through affordable weekly or monthly payments. Customers make payments as their cash flow allows to activate products and build towards full ownership, with payments made via Mobile Money through Ndank Ndank / Molo Molo plans.
Quantifiable outcome
- Income increased by 30% for market traders using solar kits (Heritiana N., Madagascar)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Baobab+ Nigeria
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Baobab+ Nigeria technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Baobab+ Nigeria partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BANK OF AFRICA – SENEGAL (BOA)corePartnership with BOA Senegal makes Izili's solar solutions accessible to BOA's customer base. This collaboration aims to facilitate access to sustainable energy through BOA's banking network across Senegal.
- QottocoreAcquisition of Qotto, a leading PAYGo solar provider in Benin and Burkina Faso. This acquisition significantly expands Izili's footprint to 6 African countries, strengthening the company's ability to deliver sustainable and inclusive energy solutions to off-grid and rural communities across Africa.
- NSIA Assurances SénégalminorPartnership with NSIA Assurances Senegal to strengthen customer confidence by improving after-sales service and product protection. This insurance partnership adds peace of mind to solar product purchases.
- LAPO Microfinance BankcoreStrategic partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank enables rapid nationwide expansion in Nigeria by leveraging LAPO's 500+ branches and extensive presence in rural and peri-urban communities. LAPO's trusted local presence and financing solutions make Izili's solar products more accessible to households and small business owners lacking affordable, reliable energy.
- REMUCI (Réseau des Mutuelles de Côte d'Ivoire)corePartnership with REMUCI (Réseau des Mutuelles de Côte d'Ivoire) to accelerate access to clean energy for rural and semi-urban households, with a strong focus on women's empowerment through innovative, inclusive, and accessible energy solutions.
- Hinckley Recycling (Nigeria)minorWEEE recycling partner in Nigeria. Hinckley Recycling collects and responsibly recycles end-of-life solar products (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), contributing to a more sustainable value chain. 12 tons / 33 m³ of WEEE recycled in 2024.
- SOVSPIR (Côte d'Ivoire)minorWEEE recycling partner in Côte d'Ivoire, working with Izili to ensure responsible end-of-life recycling of solar products.
- SetTIC (Senegal)minorWEEE recycling partner in Senegal, contributing to responsible disposal and recycling of solar equipment.
- Vohitra Environnement S.A (Madagascar)minorWEEE recycling partner in Madagascar, ensuring environmental protection through responsible solar product recycling.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Baobab+ Nigeria competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- SolarPay: South Africa-based PAYGo solar distributor with comparable model; weaker Africa-wide footprint than Izili but similar customer segments.
- PEG Africa: Ghana-based PAYGo solar provider focused on West Africa; comparable model and overlapping geography with Izili's Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin operations.
Broad incumbents
- Fenix International (ENGIE): PAYGo solar provider in Uganda and broader East Africa, owned by ENGIE. Comparable PAYGo solar model and impact-investor profile, with broader utility backing.
- BioLite: US-based off-grid energy social enterprise and majority shareholder of Izili; comparable product portfolio (solar home systems, cookstoves) and shared manufacturing/distribution capability.
Direct peers
- BBOXX: UK-headquartered PAYGo solar provider with extensive African operations, focused on solar home systems and clean cooking. Comparable PAYGo business model and product portfolio.
- Zola Electric: PAYGo solar provider operating across multiple African markets with comparable solar home system and PAYGo financing offering.
- Sun King (Greenlight Planet): Pay-as-you-go solar home system provider operating in Africa and Asia with comparable product mix (lighting, phone charging, TVs) and PAYGo financing model.
- M-KOPA: Kenya-headquartered PAYGo solar leader operating across East and West Africa with a comparable asset-financing and field-agent distribution model. Closest scale comparable to Izili in Africa, with materially larger disclosed funding base.
- Lumos Global: PAYGo solar home system provider with operations in West Africa (Nigeria, Ivory Coast region), directly comparable product offering and PAYGo model.
- d.light: Global PAYGo solar distributor active across more than 70 countries, with strong presence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Directly comparable on PAYGo solar kits, last-mile distribution, and dual solar + digital product portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Baobab+ Nigeria social profiles
Digital presenceBaobab+ Nigeria financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Baobab+ Nigeria leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Baobab+ Nigeria subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Baobab+ Nigeria funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Baobab+ Nigeria M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Baobab+ Nigeria
What does Baobab+ Nigeria do?
Baobab+ Nigeria (operating as Izili Nigeria since the September 2025 group rebranding) distributes off-grid solar energy systems, solar refrigerators/freezers, hybrid generators, improved cookstoves, smartphones and digital products to rural and peri-urban households and small entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Products are financed primarily through a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) model with mobile money installments (Ndank Ndank / Molo Molo), allowing customers to make small deposits and incremental daily, weekly or monthly payments until they own the equipment. Distribution is delivered through thousands of field agents and partnerships with microfinance institutions (notably LAPO's 500+ branches) and telecom operators.
Is Baobab+ Nigeria a public or private company?
Baobab+ Nigeria is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Baobab+ Nigeria founded?
Baobab+ Nigeria was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Baobab+ Nigeria based?
Baobab+ Nigeria is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, in the Africa region.
How does Baobab+ Nigeria make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Solar Product Sales (PAYGo) is the primary driver. The others are solar Refrigerator / Freezer Sales, clean Cookstove Sales, smartphone and Digital Product Sales and hybrid Generator Sales.
Who are Baobab+ Nigeria's main competitors?
Regional players on record are SolarPay and PEG Africa. Broad incumbents are Fenix International (ENGIE) and BioLite. Direct peers are BBOXX, Zola Electric, Sun King (Greenlight Planet), M-KOPA, Lumos Global and d.light.
Does Baobab+ Nigeria have an API?
No public API is recorded for Baobab+ Nigeria.
What industry is Baobab+ Nigeria in?
Baobab+ Nigeria's product category is Off-grid solar energy and clean cooking products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAJAD, Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4900.