Kampala (Uganda) and Frankfurt (Germany), May 2019. GreenTec Capital is very pleased to report that ARED has partnered with World Vision as a part of the company’s expansion into Uganda. The partnership with World Vision will help expand economic opportunities and connectivity options for refugees in Northern Uganda.
In 2017, ARED began its international expansion in Uganda. This expansion into Uganda was funded by Gray Matters Capital’s coLABs sector agnostic gender-lens portfolio. To date, ARED secured funding for and has grown its Ugandan franchisee network to 10 kiosks providing access to connectivity and digital services for Ugandan mobile device users. Henri Nyakarundi, CEO of ARED said, “Scaling in Uganda has shown that there is a business case for ARED solution across Africa, bridging the gap of digital services and connectivity is key for economic development in low-income areas, and we have the solution for that.”
World Vision International is an aid and development organization which is active globally focusing on addressing the causes of poverty through development, relief, and advocacy. In partnering with World Vision’s Ugandan office, ARED will work to expand economic and connectivity opportunities for residents of the Omugo Refugee Camp in Arua district of Northern Uganda. ARED will partner with World Vision to recruit, train, and monitor micro-franchisees from among the camp residents. The initiative will bring new income opportunities for women and men, as well as, greatly expand access to connectivity and digital services for refugees and surrounding communities. The partnership will provide camp residents with digital services and connectivity options that were previously only available several miles away in the nearest town. ARED plans to deploy more than 100 franchises to Uganda, including more in refugee camps. Beyond, Uganda, ARED has its sight’s set on expanding into West Africa and next is in active discussions with potential local partners in Cote D’Ivoire.
GreenTec is happy to see ARED attract international partners such as World Vision to its mission of expanding access to low-cost energy and connectivity services and economic opportunities in Africa.