In this satellite image, the bright lights represent the bustling city life, while the parts shrouded in darkness are home to the 1 billion people who cannot afford electricity. Among them, 600 million reside in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fortunately, Chinese brands are making their mark in Africa with their lighting products, bringing light to those in need. In rural areas where the national grid does not reach, off-grid solar power is rapidly growing in the African market. Notably, small household solar systems are emerging as a key solution for meeting domestic electricity needs.

Huaniu Energy: Lighting Up Africa with Chinese Power

Today, I want to introduce a low-profile yet powerful Chinese company—Huaniu Energy. In 2022, this company formed an international trade team and began to focus on the global battery storage market, launching the overseas brand “Neliaxi.” In just two years, Huaniu Energy has concentrated on overseas markets, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe, focusing on residential, commercial, and industrial energy storage, as well as community storage in areas with power shortages and unstable grids. To date, they have installed over 30,000 energy storage systems in more than 90 countries and regions worldwide.

Huaniu Energy specializes in providing high-quality power solutions for industry clients, focusing on the development of off-grid solar storage systems, lithium battery PACK systems, and other independent energy application systems. The company is committed to the research and sales of new energy systems, with the core value of “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Their vision is to “Collaborate with industry partners, lead industry development, provide meticulously crafted products, and deliver satisfactory services,” contributing more to society. Huaniu Energy is dedicated to the development of new energy systems that are intensive, efficient, and accessible. The company boasts a 12-member R&D team and a modern laboratory capable of conducting multiple experiments, including photovoltaic system experiments and lithium battery system experiments.

The Global Impact of Chinese Brands

This is just one example. According to the Xinsou Overseas Brand Public Relations and Marketing Department, nearly 60% of overseas civilian solar lighting system suppliers are from China. These companies not only provide products to low-income families in suburban and rural areas but also serve small business operators. Their goal is often not just to provide products but to establish long-term relationships with customers, enhancing the service performance of their products.

According to the World Energy Institute, over 1 million households in Kenya and Tanzania are already using PAYG household solar services, and the user base is rapidly growing in other African countries as well.

Demand-Driven Opportunities: The Booming African New Energy Market

In the early stages of the off-grid solar market, the primary goal was to replace kerosene or other traditional power sources with small modern power solutions. Portability and price were key factors driving user growth. This market is now gradually evolving towards larger-scale products, offering more comprehensive power services to users.

In addition to small household systems, off-grid solar power solutions also include various scales of distributed microgrids, an area where Chinese companies excel. African local manufacturers have limited production capacity, so they mainly import finished products from abroad for local assembly and distribution. According to the World Bank, over 60% of suppliers in recent years have come from China.

Investment and Future: The Vast Potential of African New Energy

Research by the Xinsou Overseas Public Relations Department shows that African countries need 60 to 90 billion in annual investment to address their energy shortages. The growing demand for electricity presents opportunities for global investors that extend beyond solar power. While fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas will continue to provide significant energy, renewable energy will play a larger role. In addition to solar power, Africa’s abundant geothermal, wind, and biomass energy resources are valuable power generation assets with immense potential.

As a brand export marketing expert at Xinsou Consulting, I feel incredibly excited and proud. Seeing Chinese brands shine on the global stage, especially in a market as full of opportunities and challenges as Africa, fills us with enthusiasm. Huaniu Energy and other Chinese companies are using their wisdom and efforts to bring light and hope to the world. This is not just a commercial success but a significant contribution to human society.

In the future, we look forward to seeing more Chinese brands make their mark in the global market, bringing light and hope to more people. Let’s work together for a future full of endless possibilities!

This article was written by the Xinsou Brand Marketing Research Department, Jony Team.