Economy
Madica Invests in Earthbond to Simplify SMEs Access to Clean, Affordable Energy
By Adedapo Adesanya
Madica, a structured investment programme designed for pre-seed stage startups in Africa, has announced its investment in Earthbond, a climate tech startup unlocking affordable, reliable solar energy for Nigerian small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) via an integrated clean energy marketplace.
According to a statement, Earthbond will participate in Madica’s comprehensive investment programme which includes 18 months of dedicated company-building support.
Launched in 2022 and affiliated with Flourish Ventures, a global Fintech venture capital firm with purpose, Madica provides investment funding of up to $200,000 and delivers support to portfolio companies through a highly personalised startup curriculum, hands-on mentorship, and fully-funded week-long founder immersion trips.
Selected startups also stand to gain executive coaching opportunities, and access to Madica’s global network of investors for follow-on funding – all designed to spur growth and ensure the long-term viability of the startups.
Earthbond, founded in 2023 by Ms Chidalu Onyenso, an experienced product manager with an MBA degree from Harvard and more than 10 years in the field, is tackling Nigeria’s $14B off-grid generator market by leveraging group financing and carbon accounting to reduce costs and risks in the energy transition.
Between 2017 and 2023, Nigeria’s grid collapsed 46 times, forcing about 86 per cent of companies to rely on costly and polluting fossil-fuel generators, which cost businesses over $29 billion annually. Solar power offers a cheaper and more sustainable alternative, but high installation costs deter small and medium businesses (SMBs) from its adoption.
To address this challenge, Earthbond enables businesses to go solar through access to embedded solar finance and a marketplace of accredited solar installers and suppliers.
Earthbond said since its launch, it has completed audits for more than 100 qualified customers in Lagos, representing a potential pipeline of $1 million in solar projects. More than 1,800 Nigerian SMBs have also expressed interest by joining the waitlist, highlighting the gap and product-market fit.
The startup has established partnerships with four local commercial and microfinance banks to facilitate loans for SMEs seeking to transition to solar power.
With Madica’s investment, the company says it will help drive its ambitious growth by boosting its financing capacity, enabling $10 million in targeted loan originations over the next 3 years.
The funds will also enhance sales and marketing efforts and develop innovative maintenance and payment tools to enhance the customer experience.
Additionally, EarthBond plans to create a unique revenue stream by offering discounts based on carbon credits, incentivising businesses to join the programme.
Ms Onyenso, Earthbond CEO, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Earthbond, and a powerful endorsement of our mission. We’re really excited to be joining the Madica portfolio family. Leading the charge of energy transition is no easy feat and we are glad to be joined by renowned investors who share our passion and drive.
“We look forward to the doors this support opens and also to a greener and cleaner future,” she added.
On his part, Mr Emmanuel Adegboye, Head of Madica said, “We are excited to be investing in this exceptional startup as it tackles some of today’s biggest climate challenges. We won’t be able to continue the advancements of the African tech ecosystem without addressing power, and we are impressed by the team at Earthbond, their vision, and the technology that provides an affordable and eco-friendly solution. Earthbond has tremendous potential to drive an equitable clean energy future and positively impact our region.
“Investing in Earthbond reaffirms our mission to demonstrate that exceptional founders and products exist beyond the usual homogeneous groups, and we remain devoted in our quest to support underrepresented founders and fuel the growth of pioneering startups across underserved African regions.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange closed flat on Wednesday, February 26 with the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) static at 3,268.81 points and the market capitalization unchanged at N1.851 trillion.
The alternative stock exchange closed flat at midweek despite recording six price movers, with two in the green region and four in the red territory.
On the gainers’ side Afriland Properties Plc and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, with the former rising by N1.12 to N22.80 per unit from the preceding day’s N21.68 per unit and the latter expanding by 76 Kobo to settle at N39.86 per share compared with Tuesday’s closing price of N39.10 per share.
However, First Trust Microfinance Bank Plc lost 5 kobo to close at 47 Kobo per unit compared with the previous day’s 52 Kobo per unit, Geo Fluids dropped 34 Kobo to settle at N3.58 per share versus the preceding session’s N3.24 per share, UBN Property Plc went down by 10 Kobo to finish at N1.75 per unit, in contrast to Tuesday’s closing price of N1.85 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc declined by 14 Kobo to close at N22.01 per share versus N22.15 per share.
During yesterday’s session, the volume of securities transacted by investors jumped by 99.3 per cent to 1.2 million units from the 605,399 units transacted in the previous trading day.
However, the value of transactions slid by 28.5 per cent to N10.6 million from N14.8 million, while the number of deals went up by 58.3 per cent to 38 deals from 24 deals recorded on Tuesday.
At the close of business, Impresit Bakolori Plc was the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 533.8 million units worth N520.9 million, followed by Afriland Properties Plc with 16.4 million units valued at 335.2 million, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 8.3 million units valued at N329.2 million.
Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc ended the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 69.7 million units worth N23.6 million, trailed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 10.9 million units sold for N51.9 million, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 8.3 million units valued at N329.2 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira closed flat on the US Dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Wednesday, February 26 at N1,501.95/$1.
Also, the value of the local currency against the Pound Sterling and the Euro remained unchanged in the official market during the session at N1,894.72/£1 and N1,570.11/€1 apiece.
However, the Nigerian currency depreciated against the United States currency by N10 at midweek to quote at N1,500/$1, in contrast to the preceding day’s N1,490/$1.
The outcome of the local currency comes amid ease in the wider economy and recent moves like clearing backlogs, which have led to the country’s foreign reserves losing over $2 billion in the last month.
However, market analysts fear that the continued drop in the foreign reserves may only offer temporary respite to the Naira.
In the cryptocurrency market, most of the tokens fell on Wednesday after the US President, Mr Donald Trump, said he plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on the European Union (EU) during his first cabinet meeting.
The price of Bitcoin (BTC) depreciated by more than 3 per cent in the last 24 hours to close at $85,878.47.
After the recent market selloff, there were calls that the drop might have been the bottom but Mr Trump’s EU tariff plans seem to have dampened market optimism.
The American President claimed that the 27-member union does not accept US cars and farm products while the US buys from the bloc.
On its part, the EU said it will react firmly and immediately against “unjustified barriers to free and fair trade”
Ethereum (ETH) slumped by 5.9 per cent to $2,341.69, Ripple (XRP) went down by 3.7 per cent to $2.20, Cardano (ADA) fell by 2.9 per cent to trade at $0.6625, Dogecoin (DOGE) depreciated by 1.3 per cent to $0.2076, Binance Coin (BNB) weakened by 1.2 per cent to $614.13, and Solana (SOL) declined by 1.0 per cent to $140.03.
But Litecoin (LTC) recorded a 6.9 per cent appreciation to quote at $126.46, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 each.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited recorded its first gain this week, with a marginal 0.02 per cent rise on Wednesday, showing resilience in the face of adversities.
Also, investor sentiment turned bullish after closing weak in the past trading sessions.
Yesterday, the bourse ended with 30 price gainers and 15 price losers, representing a positive market breadth index.
UH REIT gained 9.94 per cent to settle at N44.25, Africa Prudential jumped by 9.90 per cent to N33.30, Caverton soared by 9.87 per cent after a deal with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to N2.45, Omatek rose by 8.22 per cent to 79 Kobo, and Lasaco Assurance grew by 6.92 per cent to N3.09.
On the flip side, Guinea Insurance tumbled by 10.00 per cent to 72 Kobo, Eunisell crumbled by 9.68 per cent to N9.80, The Initiates declined by 8.02 per cent to N3.67, Oando shed 7.69 per cent to sell for N48.00, and Union Dicon dropped 7.50 per cent to trade at N5.55.
During the midweek session, the consumer goods counter chalked up 0.17 per cent, the insurance index appreciated by 0.16 per cent, and the industrial goods sector improved by 0.01 per cent.
However, the energy space gave up 0.71 per cent, and the banking sector depreciated by 0.21 per cent, while the commodity counter closed flat.
When Customs Street closed for the day, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 17.38 points to 107,798.99 points from 107,781.61 points and the market capitalisation added N11 billion to finish at N67.179 trillion compared with the preceding day’s N67.168 trillion.
Business Post reports that 245.5 million stocks worth N8.4 billion exchanged hands in 10,098 deals on Wednesday, in contrast to the 363.0 million stocks valued at N10.1 billion transacted in 13,753 deals on Tuesday.
This indicated that the trading volume, value and number of deals went down by 32.37 per cent, 16.83 per cent, and 26.58 per cent, respectively.
Access Holdings led the activity chart with 36.6 million shares sold for N937.9 million, Zenith Bank transacted 26.8 million equities worth N1.3 billion, Sterling Holdings exchanged 11.3 million stocks valued at N62.3 million, Jaiz Bank traded 10.9 million equities worth N36.1 million, and AIICO Insurance transacted 10.8 million stocks for N17.9 million.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN