Kenyan renewable energy firm Solarise Africa has secured a US $1.12M grant from the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) to expand its solar leasing business into Uganda and Zambia, supporting the deployment of distributed renewable energy systems for businesses and social institutions.
The grant will be combined with an additional US $1.12M contribution from Solarise Africa to finance a two-year programme worth approximately US $2.24M million. The initiative will establish the company’s operations in both markets and support the installation of 3 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy capacity.
The planned projects will incorporate solar photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage and heat pumps where appropriate. The investments are intended to help commercial and industrial customers improve electricity reliability, manage energy costs and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.
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Performance requirements
Under the programme’s performance requirements, Solarise Africa is expected to verify at least 4.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable electricity generation and achieve an estimated reduction of 3,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Solarise Africa Chief Executive Officer Jan Albert Valk said the funding would enable the company to extend its established business model into additional African markets, where businesses often struggle to secure the capital required to invest in energy infrastructure.
The company’s approach combines renewable energy equipment with long-term financing, allowing customers to access solar power and related technologies without having to fund the entire installation upfront. This model is particularly relevant for businesses seeking alternatives to unreliable electricity supplies while managing the financial burden of energy investments.
The EEP Africa funding is designed to help cover the initial challenges of entering new markets and create opportunities for further private-sector investment. Solarise Africa Chief Operating Officer Sakkie van Wijk said the company intends to establish commercially sustainable operations in Uganda and Zambia that can continue expanding beyond the grant period.
Established in 2018 by Patrik Huber, Jan Albert Valk and Sakkie van Wijk, Solarise Africa provides decentralised energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers. The company has expanded its financing base through successive fundraising rounds involving African and international investors, as well as development finance institutions.
Its previous funding includes a Series A round in 2019, a US $10M Series B round in 2020 and an additional $3 million from EDFI ElectriFI in December 2022. The expansion comes as businesses across Africa increasingly explore decentralised renewable energy to address electricity supply challenges, contain operating expenses and improve energy resilience. By combining equipment deployment with financing, Solarise Africa aims to make clean energy investments more accessible while developing a larger customer base in East and Southern Africa.
