OOLU Solar Issue 30: Burkina Faso - 7% Bond
£112,400 | 113 | 0 |
£260 invested
Approximately every £260 invested can enable OOLU Solar to provide a Solar Home System to a family previously off the grid in Burkina Faso.
432 families
Your investment will help OOLU to provide clean energy to 432 families in Burkina Faso.
OOLU SARL is a company incorporated in 2015 in Senegal and is one of the fastest growing off-grid solar companies in West Africa. "Oolu" means trust in Wolof, the local language most commonly spoken in Senegal, and so corresponds with OOLU's goal to provide quality products and after sales service that communities and customers can trust. Since their incorporation they have installed over 66,100 solar home systems to families in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and continue to expand their operations in these countries in 2021.
About OOLU
Key product information
Issuer: OOLU SARL
Issuing Country: Senegal
Investment target: £112,400
Minimum investment: £50
Maximum investment: No maximum
Maturity: 30 months
Expected interest rate: 7% per annum
Withholding tax rate: 10% (applicable to UK residents who do not invest within an IF ISA)
Interest payment frequency: 6 monthly
Notional repayment: 6 monthly (from 12 months onwards)*
Financial instrument: Unsecured interest bearing bond
Security: Unsecured
*For the first 12 months after the Issue Date, a "Grace Period" applies during which no capital repayments occur. During this Grace Period, the Issuer will make Interest Payments on the Interest Payment Dates. For the avoidance of doubt, after the Grace Period, the capital repayments are semi-annual and in equal instalments. Please refer to the amortization schedule found on Page 24 of the offer document.
Key risks
This is a bond issued by a single company (rather than a savings product) and therefore it is recommended that you are careful with the amount you invest.
You must read the investment memorandum (provided below) where a full statement of risks is presented.
Documents
What the project investment will enable
OOLU will use the funds from this raise to deploy and install 432 TV Solar Home Systems for families across Burkina Faso.
OOLU distribute solar products from selected and reliable suppliers who are Lighting Global Certified. OOLU's current suppliers are Amped Innovation and Greenlight Planet. The entry-level Pico solar home system comes with a 5-10W PV panel, 20-40Wh LiFePO4 battery, 3-4 high efficiency LED lights and 1-2 USB charging ports. Their second system is a larger modular system that includes a 40W (up to 120W) PV panel, 100Wh (up to 180Wh) LiFePO4 battery, 6 high efficiencies LED lights, 2 USB charging ports and a TV.
Providing families and individuals with access to a TV has multiple impact benefits. Firstly, keeping up to-date with local news and weather forecasts is important to them to better understand any developments that may impact them. Secondly, educational content on TV is typically very accessible for both children and adults, who are able to learn useful topics, such as farming techniques, through engaging story-telling. Furthermore, research has shown that TV shows often inspire viewers to reach higher, driving them to study and work harder. Finally, it provides an opportunity for families and friends to gather around and strengthen important social ties.
OOLU's payment plans allow customers between 18-24 months to pay back their systems and their flexible nature allows customers to extend this period should they encounter payment difficulties.
OOLU SARL
OOLU will deploy 432 TV Solar Home Systems throughout Burkina Faso where approximately 80% of individuals living in rural areas do not have access to electricity.
Not only will your investment into this OOLU offer allow them to provide off-grid families with renewably sourced electricity, but you'll also be helping the company to grow and provide further employment opportunities. For 2021, OOLU plan to expand throughout West and Central Africa which will allow micro-entrepreneurs to develop rural businesses and gain new sources of revenue.
Social and environmental impact
SHS & lanterns have been shown to have a significant impact on customers' lives and the environment. OOLU SARL has sold over 66,100 SHS in Senegal ,Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger impacting the lives of roughly 330,500 people.
Social Impact
Social Impact statistics taken from GOGLA's July 2018 study 'Powering Opportunity: The Economic Impact of Off-Grid Solar'
91%
of solar light users who previously used kerosene lamps experienced an improvement in their health
91%
of customers purchasing a solar lantern or home system reported feeling safer since buying or using their product
84%
of households with children report that they now have more time with which to do their homework
Environmental impact
Using industry-recognised Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) impact metrics, OOLU has calculated the environmental impact of installing 432 Solar Home Systems as follows:
2,160
Number of people who will enjoy clean energy access
$195
Average new household saving on energy-related expenditure over solar product lifetime
1.1tonnes
Annual total greenhouse gas emissions offset per household
Offer Documents
OOLU SARL Issue 30 - Offer Document (Log In to download)