A business in Chiswick which provides solar systems to help transform the lives of some of the poorest people in the world, was visited by International Development Minister Nick Hurd .

During a visit to BBOXX at Chiswick Studios on Wednesday (July 13), the venture set up by three college friends from Imperial College London in 2010, the minister was shown some of the life changing solar energy products used to help boost electricity in Africa.

The visit by Mr Hurd was part of the Department for International Development's (DFID) Energy Africa campaign which aims to light up Africa by helping to power businesses and homes to make sure the poorest people in the world have access to reliable and affordable energy.

BBOX is a DFID funded business which provides solar panel systems to countries including Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.

CEO of BBOXX Mansoor Hamayun, said: “Over one billion people have absolutely no access to electricity.

“We at BBOXX are providing energy access through our solar home systems to over 100 households every day, and have reached over 70,000 homes so far.

“There are many more families for us to bring electricity to and it is very encouraging to see DFID and Minister Hurd actively supporting the growth of energy access through their Energy Africa campaign.”

'Life-changing solar energy'

Mr Hurd, also MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, said: “BBOXX is among the UK companies leading the way in developing innovative solar energy products to make sure many of the world’s poorest people can access clean, reliable and affordable energy.

“It is totally unacceptable that in this day and age more than 600 million people in Africa do not have access to electricity, which is why the UK’s Energy Africa initiative is encouraging a solar revolution to transform lives across the continent.

“From Rwanda to Zambia, I’ve seen the life-changing effect solar energy can have for families - saving money that can be spent on basic essentials, making women and girls safer after dark and enabling children to study after school, giving the next generation an opportunity to contribute to their country’s economic growth and success.”

Energy Africa hopes to provide power for all of Africa with the help of businesses like BBOXX by 2030.

Visit BBOXX for more information.