Sun King, a prominent off-grid solar energy company, announced on Monday that it intends to introduce its own smartphone brand specifically designed for African markets. The brand will be targeted at rural and peri-urban areas, where smartphone access is restricted by affordability.
Customers can make payments using mobile money in tiny daily or weekly installments, following the company's successful pay-as-you-go financing strategy.
Sun King's offline-enabled, long-life smartphones for Africa
The new Sun King smartphones will be tuned for long battery life and energy efficiency to represent the realities of off-grid living, where power supplies are erratic. They will be pre-loaded with offline content to help users with more than simply communication, like financial literacy guidelines, healthcare information, and agricultural courses.
Sun King Pay, an integrated app that helps customers track loan repayments, receive incentives, and access other services inside Sun King's ecosystem, will also be available on the phones.
A Sun King insider reported, “This move isn’t just about selling phones. It’s about digital inclusion. We’re bringing the power of the internet, apps, education, and financial tools right into people’s hands.”
Sun King to connect underserved Africa with smartphones
Africa's mobile market is one of the fastest-growing, yet smartphone prices keep many rural people offline. Sun King's debut into this market utilises its vast solar energy infrastructure and trust, which benefits over 100 million Africans.
An industry analyst noted, “Sun King is already in people’s homes, providing light and energy. The next logical step is to provide digital tools that unlock access to education, banking, and commerce. A smartphone is the gateway to all that.”
Sun King plans to launch its services in mid-2025, beginning in Kenya and expanding to Nigeria, Uganda, and other markets. The company reportedly collaborates with Asian manufacturers and manages software localisation for each region. This initiative aligns with a broader trend among energy-tech companies diversifying into fintech and consumer technology to increase their impact on underserved communities.
Sun King opened an experience centre in Lagos, Nigeria, and secured substantial finance to expand its solar and digital capabilities. This comes after the company's smartphone debut.
