EDF is joining Africa’s booming solar power market by snapping up a stake in home solar provider BBOXX as it moves into Togo in West Africa.

The French energy giant will partner with BBOXX to roll out off-grid home solar systems as part of the race to corner Africa’s fast-growing market for home power systems.

The pay-as-you-go solar kits include a solar panel, lighting strips and ultra-efficient appliances that are typically cheaper for families over the longer term than polluting kerosene lamps and wood fires.

EDF is racing to catch up with fellow French utility Engie, formerly known as GDF Suez, which earlier this year bought Fenix International. The lease-to-buy solar provider is based in Uganda where 85pc of homes do not have access to the electricity grid.

In total, around 600 million African homes still do not have access to reliable electricity.