- The Togolese government and Bboxx have partnered to increase digital inclusion.
- Both parties aim to deploy smartphones for the increased digital public services delivery.
- Bboxx provides SHS in Togo on a PAYG basis under the government-backed digital subsidy initiative.
The Government of Togo and solar and digital technology services provider Bboxx have announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to sell smartphones in Togo on a pay-as-you-go model. According to both parties, the MoU will enable increased digital inclusion and delivery of digital public services through the deployment of smartphones in the country.
The parties will implement the programme in three phases. The first will involve market research, capturing important customer preferences and requirements insights, including data plans and hardware. In the second Phase, smartphones will be made available to civil servants and public sector workers to encourage the transition to digital public service delivery. Finally, phase 3 will involve distributing smartphones to the broader Togolese public via affordable PAYG financing models. The smartphones are expected to be rolled out next year.
Bboxx distributes and finances the deployment of decentralised solar-powered systems in developing countries. The company has deployed over 500,000 solar home systems so far. The company has operated in Togo since 2017, where via its joint venture, ‘Bboxx Avec EDF’, it provides solar home systems on a pay-as-you-go basis using mobile money. The distribution is supported via a government-backed digital subsidy, the ‘CIZO Cheque’.
The Togolese government has prioritised establishing a digital economy as it believes that it will help accelerate the growth and development of more important sectors of the economy. It aims to do this throught= the implementation of its Togo Digital 2025 initiative.