Herts professor of AI uses expertise to fight poverty and bring reliable power to remote Nigerian communities

Communities in some of the most remote parts of Nigeria are gaining access to affordable, reliable electricity for the first time, thanks to a new solar-powered device created by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire.

The Powerbox SE, developed by Hertfordshire Business School in partnership with local Nigerian manufacturers, provides off-grid households and small businesses with a self-charging energy source capable of powering everyday essentials - from lights and fans to laptops, blenders, and washing machines.

Early field tests in Kaduna State have shown remarkable success, with 70 units already in use and generating significant improvements in quality of life and local economic activity.

Professor Hafiz Alaka, Associate Dean (Research and Enterprise) at Hertfordshire Business School and Director of the University’s Big Data Tech & Innovation Lab, is leading the project.

He said:

“I grew up in Nigeria and have seen first-hand how unreliable or non-existent electricity limits opportunities for millions of people. Many households and small businesses are too far from the national grid to access power, and this affects everything from trade to communication and education.

“The Powerbox SE offers a sustainable, low-cost solution. It runs entirely on clean solar energy, has no running costs, and is made from components that can be sourced locally in Nigeria. It’s built for Africa’s environment and for Africa’s people.”

The Powerbox SE absorbs roughly 1,200 watt-hours of solar energy per day and can store enough electricity to power lights, fans, mobile phones, laptops, and small household appliances for a family of four. Users can either charge the unit directly from its integrated solar panels or connect it to external panels, available as part of a low-cost bundle.

One early adopter, Amina Yusuf, a small grocery shop owner from Kaduna, said:

“Since using the Powerbox, I can keep my shop open after sunset, my children can study at night, and I’ve reduced my fuel costs significantly. It has transformed how we live and work.”

Another Powerbox user, Bala Ibrahim, a teacher in a rural village, added:

“The Powerbox allows my students to study after dark and keeps our community connected. It’s reliable, clean, and cost-effective.”

The news follows Professor Alaka’s securing over $2 million of UN funding to develop So-Cool, an AI and solar-powered food storage solution for tackling hunger and reducing food waste in Nigeria, by extending the life of smallholders’ produce and aggregating it to achieve a stronger market price.

Powerbox’s first phase was funded by Innovate UK, and the team is now seeking an investment partner to scale up production and distribution across Nigeria, and ultimately to other parts of Africa where access to affordable power remains limited.

Professor Alaka added:

“This product is starting to bring people together in a way no other technology can - sustainably, affordably, and through a locally made product. With investment, we can extend access to clean energy to millions who have never had reliable electricity before.”

The University is working with Powerbox Energy Systems Nigeria and MHUB, a leading Nigerian manufacturing partner, to build and distribute the Powerbox at scale.

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