In response to the impacts of frequent power outages on small businesses in underserved communities, particularly small and microenterprises such as spaza shops, an innovative partnership between Wetility, a local renewable energy fintech company specialising in solar-as-a-service solutions, and A2Pay, a fintech company focused on empowering informal retailers, aims to make sustainable energy independence and financial resilience a reality for these small but crucial businesses.

Wetility and A2Pay explain that spaza shops offer essential goods and services to their communities where formal retail outlets are scarce, contributing about R150-billion a year, or 5.2% of South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP), and employ about 2.6-million people.

They note that the broader economic impact of these informal convenience shops is valued at about R600-million in constant GDP terms, pointing out, however, that they face significant challenges owing to unreliable electricity supply as a result of loadshedding, cable theft and infrastructure issues.

Outages lead to increased operational expenses, reduced sales, substantial losses in perishable stock and business closures. In some instances, a damaged transformer can leave a community without power for several weeks, exacerbating the situation for local businesses and residents, say Wetility and A2Pay.

The companies have, therefore, partnered with the aim of providing tailored, sustainable energy solutions to spaza shops.

The initial roll-out will see Wetility’s solar solution offered to A2Pay’s existing network of over 6 000 merchants in communities that have historically lacked access to reliable electricity and affordable renewable-energy solutions.

A2Pay COO Athy le Roux says the collaboration is a game-changer for spaza shops and will support the growth and development of the informal retail sector in South Africa.

“Now spaza shops can remain operational during power outages, reduce their losses and maintain steady business operations.

“With Wetility's innovative solar technology and our established infrastructure, small business owners can address both their energy needs and economic challenges. This will have a ripple effect on local communities by improving access to essential goods and services, fostering economic growth and stimulating job creation,” says Le Roux.

Wetility strategy and emerging business director Johanna Horz explains that up to 64% of township businesses halt operations during loadshedding.

“The only solution for many is to rely on even more costly and environmentally unfriendly generators, further straining operational sustainability. In addition, these locally-owned establishments are deeply interwoven into the fabric of their neighbourhoods, serving as essential hubs for daily necessities while fostering community cohesion.

“Approximately half of South Africa’s urban population and 38% of the country’s working-age citizens live in townships. The continued operation of small businesses like spaza shops is, therefore, particularly important for supporting economic growth in communities where unemployment often reaches up to 60%,” says Horz.

UNIQUE SOLAR PRODUCT

As part of the company’s mission to make energy independence accessible and affordable for all South Africans, Wetility offers more affordable solar energy products through solar-as-a-service subscription solutions.

"To develop a solar energy product specifically for underserved communities, extensive time was invested in understanding the unique challenges and needs faced by spaza shop owners.

“By addressing energy poverty through affordable solar solutions, we can offer merchants a way to ensure reliable electricity access and alleviate economic strain. The partnership with A2Pay aims to revolutionise the way these small businesses mitigate the impact of power outages, offering them both energy independence and financial resilience,” says Wetility founder and CEO Vincent Maposa.

Through extensive market research and focus groups with merchants, Wetility developed a solar energy range tailored to the unique operational needs of spaza shop owners while addressing common infrastructure challenges in townships.

The company’s LUXE range is designed to minimise disruptions and ensure business continuity.

“We have created a solar energy solution that requires minimal installation time, is robust and durable and offers comprehensive anti-theft measures. With smart features like rotational fridge and freezer power supply, it optimises energy use and helps manage operational costs effectively,” says Maposa.

Wetility and A2Pay note that, traditionally, spaza shops have been excluded from financing and subscription-based services owing to credit assessment challenges.

To address this, a unique daily subscription model was developed that enhances affordability and reduces credit risk by recognising that lower credit scores do not necessarily indicate lower affordability.

Leveraging A2Pay’s existing point-of-sale infrastructure and merchant relationships, the initiative offers tailored affordability assessments, enabling spaza shop owners to subscribe to Wetility's solar energy service with manageable daily payments.

The companies posit that the financial model alleviates the burden of upfront costs and ensures solar energy solutions remain financially accessible for businesses operating on tight margins.

They say that the partnership between Wetility and A2Pay represents a pioneering approach by social entrepreneurs to address some of South Africa's most pressing challenges and serves as a model for similar initiatives in other developing markets.

They argue that, as the country navigates its energy crisis, innovative collaborations like this are crucial for driving long-term, sustainable development.