Grace Ashiru
Izili Group, a prominent Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) off-grid energy and digital social enterprise backed by majority shareholder BioLite since May 2025, has announced its acquisition of Qotto, expanding its presence across Africa. Following this transaction, Izili will have operations in six countries, advancing its goal to scale sustainable energy access throughout the continent.
The acquisition represents a significant milestone in Izili’s West African expansion and consolidates its standing as a leading off-grid energy access provider. Qotto has established substantial operations in Benin and Burkina Faso, providing innovative solar solutions to households and businesses lacking access to conventional energy infrastructure.
Through Qotto’s integration into the Group, Izili deepens its dedication to delivering clean, dependable, and affordable energy, especially to off-grid and rural populations.
Alongside the acquisition, Izili has finalized a financing arrangement with the Off-Grid Energy Access Fund (OGEF), an impact investment vehicle focused on expanding off-grid electricity access in Africa. The agreement involves $5 million in convertible bonds to fuel Izili’s expansion plans. This deal bolsters the Group’s capital structure, creating additional capacity to drive sustainable, long-term growth of its off-grid energy operations, targeting distribution of more than 170,000 solar solutions and over 120,000 digital products by 2028.
Qotto’s acquisition initiates a new phase for Izili Group as it scales its continental impact. By combining regional knowledge, established distribution channels, and creative financing approaches, the Group plans to reach additional communities and advance inclusive, sustainable economic growth.
“Qotto’s acquisition represents a significant moment in Izili’s evolution—not just for our West African expansion, but primarily for the people this brings together. We are genuinely proud and enthusiastic about welcoming Qotto’s teams into Izili Group. We share identical commitments to creating impact and hold the same conviction that clean energy access transforms lives. Through this partnership, we can extend our reach, serve more communities, and create a more robust future for off-grid energy,” stated Kolawole Osinowo, CEO of Izili Group.
“This presents an exceptional opportunity for Qotto to unite with Izili and BioLite in building a dominant force in rural electrification throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. This combination marks the initial concrete action in our strategy to generate substantial impact in renewable energy access. It enables our teams to advance—and expand—our purpose: delivering sustainable electricity to those most in need. We take immense pride in what this journey has accomplished, and we are even more energized about our future path. Envision this: uniting dedicated, skilled, and passionate teams to deliver electricity access to millions of households, with future generations inheriting a more equitable world. That defines our mission. Today, we possess the resources to accomplish this at an unparalleled scale. Let’s create this reality!” said Jean Baptiste Lenoir, Co-founder of Qotto.
