• WattWallet enables instant purchases of prepaid electricity tokens through a digital platform
• The startup reports more than 500,000 users across several African markets since its 2025 launch
• About 7 million South Africans rely on prepaid electricity, with limited access to regulated advance options

Prepaid electricity remains the dominant model for household energy access in several African countries. To meet this daily need, WattWallet positions itself as a digital platform dedicated to the instant purchase of electricity tokens.

WattWallet operates as a digital solution developed by a South African startup. The platform allows consumers to buy prepaid electricity tokens in a few clicks. Keagan and Zhaida Juries launched the service in 2025, and the startup has already reached more than 500,000 users across the West African sub-region, according to the company.

“Our mission is to ensure that households are never left without electricity because of the timing of their income and to reward responsible spending,” Keagan Juries said.

To access the service, users enter their meter number and the desired amount, after which the system instantly generates a valid token to recharge household meters. This process eliminates long queues and administrative hurdles commonly associated with traditional purchasing channels. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, works across all device types, and integrates automatic meter number validation alongside multiple payment options.

The startup also relies on a physical agent network of more than 10,000 operators, which allows users to convert cash into digital credit. The platform partners with major regional electricity utilities, including operators in Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, Niger, and Benin, to ensure token reliability and validity.

Beyond instant purchases, WattWallet provides detailed transaction history tracking and a rewards program that encourages frequent users to optimize their spending. In addition to prepaid electricity credits, the startup also offers a “Buy Now, Pay Later” service.

Keagan Juries said “about 7 million South Africans depend on prepaid electricity and often run out before payday. There is currently no structured and regulated electricity advance solution on the market.” He added: “Existing alternatives remain informal, such as borrowing money, using high-interest cash advances, turning to loan sharks, or going without electricity. No financial services provider or utility currently offers large-scale, flat-rate electricity advances in compliance with regulations, which creates a clear gap.”

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum