Vodacom Tanzania Manager in charge of ReadySet Charger, Nicholas
Kizenga, demonstrates to residents of Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, how to use
the ReadySet Charger. The charger, launched in the country by Vodacom
Tanzania in partnership with Fenix International, is used to charge
phones and other chargeable gadgets in areas without access to
electricity. The solar-powered charger can charge ten phones at the same
time.
A businessman at Ubungo Bus Terminus, Dar es Salaam, Salaam Ally
(center) keenly listens to Nicholas Kizenga, Vodacom Tanzania Manager in
charge of ReadySet Charger, as he explains to him how to use the
device. The charger, launched in the country by Vodacom Tanzania in
partnership with Fenix International, is used to charge phones and other
chargeable gadgets in areas without access to electricity. The
solar-powered charger can charge ten phones at the same time.
A businessman at Ubungo Bus Terminus, Dar es Salaam, Salaam Ally
(center) is shown the process of charging phones using the ReadySet
Charger by Nicholas Kizenga, Vodacom Tanzania Manager in charge of
ReadySet Charger. The charger, launched in the country by Vodacom
Tanzania in partnership with Fenix International, is used to charge
phones and other chargeable gadgets in areas without access to
electricity. The solar-powered charger can charge ten phones at the same
time. The device is available in all Vodacom shops countrywide.
Dar es Salaam, 18th July, 2013 ... With only 18.4% of Tanzania
population having access to electricity, Tanzanians have turned to use
alternative sources of energy.
Today, approximately 90% of the main alternative is biomass, with 8% being petroleum products such as kerosene.
The alternative sources of energy in Tanzania have their negative impacts, both environmental and health. Biomass, for instance, is the main cause of the county's deforestation, while petroleum products greatly contribute to air pollution, a factor that affects both human and vegetation globally.
To address this issue, affordable and environmentally friendly energy source need to be put in place across the country. Local and international companies and organizations need to come up with new innovations, put resources together and roll out initiatives that will not only provide energy sources, but will also aim at providing income to Tanzanians, both in rural and urban areas.
For instance, in April this year, Vodacom Tanzania in partnership with Fenix International, came up with an innovation that will see Tanzanians get access to solar energy and provide employment at the same time.
The two companies launched the ReadySet Charger, a device that is solar powered and used as a business venture through charging mobile phones and other chargeable gadgets.
During the launch it was revealed that approximately 600 million mobile phone users living "off-grid" spend Tsh16 trillion (US$ 10 billion) a year travelling to a place where they can charge the device or power their handsets with car batteries.
With the introduction of the ReadySet Charger, Tanzanians living in rural areas can now keep in touch with their loved ones without fear of spending too much on transport costs.
Speaking while conducting a demo of the charger to the public this week at Ubungo Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam, Nicholaus Kizenga, Vodacom Tanzania Manager in charge of ReadySet Charger, explained that the charger is what Tanzanians have been waiting for, and will go a long way in providing one of the best energy alternatives in the country.
"These chargers have come at the right time in Tanzania. We are glad to have launched them here for they will not only provide power to Tanzanians, but they will also save on resources such as time and hard-earned cash for millions," explained Kizenga.
Kizenga went on to say that, "This charger provides a cost efficient and energy efficient solution, and charges multiple phones simultaneously. It is also capable of powering a LED light bulb, radios and tablet computers. The solar panel can charge up to 10 phones a day."
"It will cost approximately Tsh320,000 (US$200) and can generate Tsh64,000 - Tsh80,000 (US$40 - US$50) per month for the shopkeepers of mobile phone charging. This will allow them to save up to US$10 per month in kerosene fuel for lighting."
At the same time, he urged Tanzanians to not hesitate having the charger, explaining that it comes with a warranty in case it has technical problems, and can stand extreme weather conditions.
Maneno Mashaka, one of the members of public present during the demo, expressed hope that with this development, the country is set to grow economically without many expenses such as power installation and petroleum importation.
"This is a great innovation for this country. Many of us that do not have access to electricity have for many years been forced to use kerosene and charcoal. These have brought health complications and they are also not affordable. With this charger, we are able to generate income and get power at the same time. This is simply great," expressed Mashaka.
Today, approximately 90% of the main alternative is biomass, with 8% being petroleum products such as kerosene.
The alternative sources of energy in Tanzania have their negative impacts, both environmental and health. Biomass, for instance, is the main cause of the county's deforestation, while petroleum products greatly contribute to air pollution, a factor that affects both human and vegetation globally.
To address this issue, affordable and environmentally friendly energy source need to be put in place across the country. Local and international companies and organizations need to come up with new innovations, put resources together and roll out initiatives that will not only provide energy sources, but will also aim at providing income to Tanzanians, both in rural and urban areas.
For instance, in April this year, Vodacom Tanzania in partnership with Fenix International, came up with an innovation that will see Tanzanians get access to solar energy and provide employment at the same time.
The two companies launched the ReadySet Charger, a device that is solar powered and used as a business venture through charging mobile phones and other chargeable gadgets.
During the launch it was revealed that approximately 600 million mobile phone users living "off-grid" spend Tsh16 trillion (US$ 10 billion) a year travelling to a place where they can charge the device or power their handsets with car batteries.
With the introduction of the ReadySet Charger, Tanzanians living in rural areas can now keep in touch with their loved ones without fear of spending too much on transport costs.
Speaking while conducting a demo of the charger to the public this week at Ubungo Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam, Nicholaus Kizenga, Vodacom Tanzania Manager in charge of ReadySet Charger, explained that the charger is what Tanzanians have been waiting for, and will go a long way in providing one of the best energy alternatives in the country.
"These chargers have come at the right time in Tanzania. We are glad to have launched them here for they will not only provide power to Tanzanians, but they will also save on resources such as time and hard-earned cash for millions," explained Kizenga.
Kizenga went on to say that, "This charger provides a cost efficient and energy efficient solution, and charges multiple phones simultaneously. It is also capable of powering a LED light bulb, radios and tablet computers. The solar panel can charge up to 10 phones a day."
"It will cost approximately Tsh320,000 (US$200) and can generate Tsh64,000 - Tsh80,000 (US$40 - US$50) per month for the shopkeepers of mobile phone charging. This will allow them to save up to US$10 per month in kerosene fuel for lighting."
At the same time, he urged Tanzanians to not hesitate having the charger, explaining that it comes with a warranty in case it has technical problems, and can stand extreme weather conditions.
Maneno Mashaka, one of the members of public present during the demo, expressed hope that with this development, the country is set to grow economically without many expenses such as power installation and petroleum importation.
"This is a great innovation for this country. Many of us that do not have access to electricity have for many years been forced to use kerosene and charcoal. These have brought health complications and they are also not affordable. With this charger, we are able to generate income and get power at the same time. This is simply great," expressed Mashaka.
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