Company Snapshot


Founded: November 28, 2013 (originally Digital Grid Solutions; rebranded to WASSHA in Dec 2017)


Headquarters: Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan


CEO: Satoshi Akita


Employee Count: ~292 total — 14 in Japan, 192 in Tanzania, 67 in Uganda, 10 in Mozambique, 9 in DR Congo (as of Oct 2024)





? Mission & Vision


“Power to the people”: Offering clean, prepaid solar energy to bring electricity to un‑ or under‑electrified communities


Vision: Transforming “I can’t” into “I can,” fostering greater opportunities through energy access


Company Values: “Believe in Possibilities,” “Jump Together,” and “Act with Integrity”





? Core Businesses


Energy‑as‑a‑Service (EaaS)



Deploying IoT-enabled solar kiosks in off‑grid areas; users rent LED lanterns and charge devices as needed


Affordable pay‑as‑you‑use model helps local shops (kiosks) earn more by extending hours




Platform Business



Growing a retail network (kiosks) that also serves as a platform for delivering digital/mobile services







?️ Operational Footprint


Japan – Tokyo HQ


Tanzania – Dar es Salaam office (Faykat Tower)


Uganda – Kampala office


Mozambique – Nampula office


Nigeria – Lagos office


DR Congo – Kinshasa office





? Impact & Recognition


In partnership with local kiosks, WASSHA reaches over 1 million people across 5 countries and operates 6,000+ outlets


LED lanterns are 20x brighter than kerosene lamps, helping vendors and households extend productive hours Covered by major media like Unreasonable Group, Japan’s J-Startup, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry





? Investors & Partners


UTEC (University of Tokyo Edge Capital) was a lead early investor; WASSHA leverages its investor network for scaling and operations



Recognized as an Unreasonable Venture solving global challenges through sustainable business





? Organizational Structure


Strong leadership team in Japan: CEO Satoshi Akita; COOs Tatsuki Yoneda & Ai Taniuchi


Regional leadership including Tanzania’s GM (Ally Tambala), Operations and Marketing Managers





? How It Works


WASSHA installs solar-powered kiosks with LED lanterns in partner shops.


Customers rent lanterns or charge phones using a pay-as-you-go system.


The IoT platform remotely monitors usage, sales, and system status.


This helps local businesses earn more, while providing clean energy to underserved communities





In Summary
WASSHA Inc. is a bold social enterprise bridging the energy gap in off-grid African regions through innovative solar kiosks and a pay-as-you-go model. By anchoring its business in sustainability, digital connectivity, and local empowerment, WASSHA has become a leading force in improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities across multiple countries.