Thakkar points out that a key part of the collaboration with Citi is that in addition to providing funding, they also value Sun King’s mission. “The solution, in terms of social impact, is important, because they not only are providing reliable energy to households, but they are enabling, for example, a girl to study at night, or a farmer to preserve their food or a family to charge their phones,” says Jorge Rubio Nava, global head of social finance at Citi.
“They have already reached 15 million households in low-income African countries. That is a massive number,” says Rubio Nava. Sun King plans to expand services with the goal of reaching an additional 10 million rural and off-grid homes.
Sun King’s efforts, supported by Citi, have already made a noticeable impact in Sunguti’s community. Sunguti knows many people who use Sun King’s products, including relatives and friends. “There is a lot of sun on the African continent,” he observes. “In areas where there’s no electricity, there isn’t a better option than the solar option.”
The solar option also helps to power Sunguti’s dreams for his children. “I want them to study hard so that they can be good grownups and pursue their goals in life,” he says. As for his own goals, Sunguti is working to increase his farming operations and expand into chicken farming, aspirations made more achievable now that he and his family have access to a safe and reliable source of energy.