Lead Organisation: Sleekabyte Technologies (Newport, Wales, UK / Nigeria)
Partners: Citibim
Region: Nigeria
Led by Sleekabyte Technologies, working with Nigerian partners Citibim, this project is demonstrating mobile solar power systems in Nigeria designed for markets, small businesses,schools and clinics that operate without reliable grid electricity. The system combines solar generation with rentable, swappable battery units, providing flexible clean power that can move with economic activity in urban and peri‑urban locations.
Phase 3 will pilot clustered deployments across Nigerian communities, allowing multiple units to connect and share power safely. By validating both the technology and the underlying business model, the project aims to offer a practical, affordable alternative to petrol and diesel generators for informal and semi‑formal enterprises.
Dr Oladimeji Olawale, CEO at Sleekabyte Technologies UK Limited, said:
“What makes ZE-Gen Phase 3 especially exciting is that it brings together four critical enablers of inclusive growth in Africa and other emerging economies: energy access, business growth, digital inclusion, and investment access. We see energy access as the essential precursor to a more intelligent, data-driven clean energy ecosystem that helps businesses grow through viable, easy-to-finance adoption models and technology-enabled investment tracking and optimisation. ZE-Gen’s support is making it possible for us to move this vision into advanced deployment by integrating 5G and 5G LAN, advanced metering, GPS, and SCADA systems to enable peer-to-peer, clustered energy deployment and energy sharing. This creates strong commercial potential in Nigeria through more scalable clean energy access for businesses, and in the UK through innovation leadership, digital energy expertise, and exportable solutions for emerging markets.”
Dr Abdul-Quayyum Gbadamosi, CEO at Citibim Nigeria Limited, said:
“ZE-Gen Phase 3 is especially exciting because it responds to a critical reality for many businesses in Nigeria: energy costs can consume over 60% of profitability, trapping enterprises in stagnation, informality, and energy poverty. What makes this innovation distinctive is that it does not focus on technology alone; it is designed around the operational constraints and financial realities of those businesses, combining clean energy innovation with embedded de-risked financing. ZE-Gen’s support is making it possible to advance this first-of-its-kind solution towards stronger technical validation, commercial readiness, and scalable deployment. Alongside grant funding, ZE-Gen is providing the projects with tailored commercialisation support to accelerate their route to market including coaching, one-to-one support and events along with strategic advice to enable investment readiness, market engagement, and product development.“