Nigerian green energy marketplace Instollar uses location and skill algorithms to connect renewable energy companies with freelance green-collar workers across Africa.
Formed in 2022 by co-founders Chinwe Udo-Davis and Paul Casey in response to the growing need for skilled solar installers in Africa, Instollar is specifically designed to match qualified solar workforce with renewable energy companies in Africa.
“Our platform ensures that solar installation projects have access to skilled and vetted professionals, thereby enhancing project efficiency and success rates for solar companies whilst also giving visibility to the rural workforce so they have the freedom, flexibility and opportunity to earn,” Udo-Davis told Disrupt Africa.
He said Instollar had identified a significant gap in the market – the lack of a reliable, skilled, and easily accessible solar workforce.
“While there are many solar projects and investments in Africa, there is a shortage of competent personnel to execute these projects. Our primary competitors include traditional recruitment agencies and job boards, but our unique focus on the solar industry and our freelancing model sets us apart,” Udo-Davis said.
Mostly bootstrapped, the startup recently participated in the second edition of the Jobtech accelerator, steered by Mercy Corps and BFA Global, which provided it with mentorship and funding. In spite of running pretty lean, Instollar has successfully onboarded 850 solar professionals, and launched its pilot training programme aimed at increasing female participation in the solar sector.
“The uptake has been promising, with over 12 reputable renewable energy companies actively using our platform to match skilled installers to their projects across the 36 states in Nigeria. Our user base is growing steadily as we continue to build our reputation for providing reliable and vetted solar professionals,” Udo-Davis said.
Instollar already has plans to expand to other African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Francophone west africa.
“Our expansion strategy focuses on partnering with local renewable energy companies and training institutions to build a robust workforce across the continent,” said Udo-Davis.
Instollar generates revenue through a commission-based model for companies seeking to hire solar professionals.
“Additionally, we offer premium services such as advanced training programs, certification courses, and advertising and sales of solar products on our platform. Our revenue growth is in its early stages, with a positive trajectory as we scale our operations,” said Udo-Davis.
