Bboxx, a data-driven super platform committed to transforming lives and unlocking potential across Africa, has announced a strategic partnership with CreditChek, a leading AI-powered credit infrastructure provider. This collaboration supports Nigeria’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) initiative, a $750 million program funded by the World Bank to deliver clean, reliable electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians through renewable energy solutions.
As the technical partner on the DARES project, CreditChek will enhance Bboxx’s credit underwriting capabilities by integrating its advanced platform, which leverages artificial intelligence and deep market integrations. This partnership is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in Nigeria’s solar energy sector: access to affordable financing.
Bridging the Financing Gap in Nigeria’s Solar Sector
Between 2019 and 2022, Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) deployed over 1 million Stand-Alone Solar Home Systems (SHS), bringing clean energy to approximately 5 million people. Despite this progress, financing remains a critical barrier to scale. Many households, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities, struggle to afford even subsidized SHS solutions without flexible payment options or low-interest loans.
The DARES initiative aims to close this gap by deploying millions of solar home systems to households currently lacking reliable electricity, with a target of reaching 17.5 million beneficiaries.
A Strategic Alliance for Scalable Impact
Simone Vaccari, Bboxx’s Group Chief Credit Officer, likens the company’s approach to a Formula 1 team:
We’re like an F1 car built to win. To stay ahead, we focus on our strengths, sourcing, distribution, and financing, and partner with those who deliver world-class components that drive effectiveness and speed. CreditChek is our Pirelli tyres: providing the precision and reliability that let us accelerate with confidence and maximise our impact.
By outsourcing specialised credit assessment functions to CreditChek, Bboxx can concentrate on its core mission while benefiting from cutting-edge tools that streamline income verification, credit history analysis, and fraud detection. This enables more efficient allocation of resources and faster decision-making.
Vaccari adds:
CreditChek’s deep integrations in the Nigerian market and its AI capabilities allow us to plug in and leap forward. It’s about focusing on high-return activities while relying on expert partners for critical support.
CreditChek: Powering Financial Inclusion Through Technology
Since its launch in 2022, CreditChek has become a key player in Africa’s credit ecosystem. Its platform connects with major credit bureaus across the continent and uses AI to analyse bank statements via its Income Insight product. This allows financial institutions to verify creditworthiness in under 90 seconds, far faster than the industry average of 20 minutes.
To date, CreditChek has facilitated over 1 million verifications and supported more than $30 million in loan approvals. Its track record of strategic partnerships includes a January 2025 collaboration with CredPal, where CreditChek provided identity and creditworthiness verification for CredPal’s new credit card offering.
In June 2025, CreditChek expanded its global footprint by acquiring U.S.-based underwriting firm CreditCliq. This acquisition enables CreditChek to serve African immigrants globally while continuing its expansion across at least 10 African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Malawi.
Empowering Nigerians Through Accessible Energy and Finance
Together, Bboxx and CreditChek aim to make solar energy more affordable, accessible, and reliable for Nigerian households. By combining Bboxx’s innovative energy solutions with CreditChek’s robust credit infrastructure, the partnership is poised to accelerate financial inclusion and energy access. This collaboration not only supports the goals of the DARES project but also sets a precedent for how technology-driven partnerships can unlock scalable, sustainable development across Africa.
