Why Banks Are Backing Utility-Scale Solar for South Africa’s Power Crisis

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on Why Banks Are Backing Utility-Scale Solar for South Africa’s Power Crisis

SolarAfrica has secured R1.5 billion (approximately US$94 million) in debt financing from Rand Merchant Bank (RMB, part of FirstRand Bank) and Investec Bank Limited to develop SunCentral 2, a 114 MW utility-scale solar power plant in the Northern Cape. Announced on February 10, 2026, this transaction marks a key milestone in the company’s transition from…

Read More “Why Banks Are Backing Utility-Scale Solar for South Africa’s Power Crisis” »

Funding

Phatisa Targets Africa’s Food Value Chain with US$86 Million First Close for Food Fund 3

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on Phatisa Targets Africa’s Food Value Chain with US$86 Million First Close for Food Fund 3

Phatisa Food Fund 3 achieved a first close of US$86 million, announced on February 9, 2026, with commitments from British International Investment (BII), FinDev Canada, Norfund, Swedfund, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Phatisa itself. This milestone validates investor confidence in Phatisa’s specialised approach to Africa’s food and agriculture sector. The fund invests across the…

Read More “Phatisa Targets Africa’s Food Value Chain with US$86 Million First Close for Food Fund 3” »

Funding

What a Carbon-Credit Licence Would Mean for M-Gas and Low-Income Households

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on What a Carbon-Credit Licence Would Mean for M-Gas and Low-Income Households

M-Gas, the Safaricom-backed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distributor, is advancing its application for a licence to sell carbon credits generated from its clean-cooking operations in Kenya. The company has secured a government Letter of Approval (LoA), an initial milestone in the authorisation process, and is progressing through subsequent regulatory stages while engaging potential offtakers and…

Read More “What a Carbon-Credit Licence Would Mean for M-Gas and Low-Income Households” »

Clean energy

The Fundamentals of Data Centre Cooling Systems

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on The Fundamentals of Data Centre Cooling Systems

Cooling systems constitute one of the most critical and energy-intensive components of modern data centres. Servers, storage devices, and networking equipment generate substantial heat during operation, and effective thermal management is essential to maintain hardware reliability, prevent thermal throttling, and achieve optimal performance. Traditional air-based cooling remains prevalent, while liquid cooling technologies are gaining adoption…

Read More “The Fundamentals of Data Centre Cooling Systems” »

Technology, Power and Energy conservation

What Sahel Capital’s $1.5 Million Loan Means for Nigeria’s Cocoa Sector

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on What Sahel Capital’s $1.5 Million Loan Means for Nigeria’s Cocoa Sector

Sahel Capital has extended a $1.5 million working capital loan to Rasad Nigeria Limited through its Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA). This facility, closed in early February 2026, renews and scales prior financing to support Rasad’s continued growth in the cocoa and cashew value chains. Thee investment builds on an earlier $590,000…

Read More “What Sahel Capital’s $1.5 Million Loan Means for Nigeria’s Cocoa Sector” »

Agri-SMEs, Funding

Why BII Is Backing Teff-Based Manufacturing in Ethiopia

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on Why BII Is Backing Teff-Based Manufacturing in Ethiopia

British International Investment (BII) has committed $5 million in growth capital to Lovegrass Ethiopia, an agri-food company specialising in the transformation of teff, which is Ethiopia’s ancient, nutrient-dense, gluten-free grain, into high-value, branded products for both domestic consumption and international markets. The investment, announced in early February 2026, supports Lovegrass Ethiopia’s strategy to capture more…

Read More “Why BII Is Backing Teff-Based Manufacturing in Ethiopia” »

Agri-SMEs, Funding

How Proparco Is Using Blended Finance to Scale Africa’s Climate Transition

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on How Proparco Is Using Blended Finance to Scale Africa’s Climate Transition

Proparco has invested in the Helios Climate Fund, a climate-focused private equity vehicle managed by Helios Investment Partners, as part of an expanded strategic partnership following Proparco’s USD 20 million commitment to Helios Sports & Entertainment Group in 2024. This latest investment, announced in early February 2026, supports the fund’s second closing at approximately USD…

Read More “How Proparco Is Using Blended Finance to Scale Africa’s Climate Transition” »

Funding

What Koko Networks’ Administration Means for 1.5 Million Households

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on What Koko Networks’ Administration Means for 1.5 Million Households

Koko Networks Limited and its subsidiary Koko Networks Global Services (Kenya) Limited have been placed under administration effective 1 February 2026, following a complete cessation of operations across Kenya. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) partners Muniu Thoithi and George Weru were appointed joint administrators under Kenya’s Insolvency Act 2015, assuming control of the companies’ assets, operations, and strategic…

Read More “What Koko Networks’ Administration Means for 1.5 Million Households” »

News updates

How Standard Bank Structured a $250 Million Deal to Scale Aradel Energy

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on How Standard Bank Structured a $250 Million Deal to Scale Aradel Energy

Standard Bank has completed a $250 million financing facility for Aradel Energy Limited, a prominent indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company. Financial close was achieved in late January 2026, with the transaction announced on January 29, 2026. Standard Bank served as global coordinator and bookrunner, leading the structuring, execution, and funding of the facility in…

Read More “How Standard Bank Structured a $250 Million Deal to Scale Aradel Energy” »

News

Why Enakl’s Model Appeals to Climate and Urban Infrastructure Funds

Posted on By Africa Digest News No Comments on Why Enakl’s Model Appeals to Climate and Urban Infrastructure Funds

Enakl has secured $2.3 million in seed funding, led by Azur Innovation Fund with participation from Witamax and MFounders, and continued support from Catalyst Fund and Digital Africa. The round, finalised in December 2025 and announced in late January 2026, brings the Casablanca-based shared mobility startup’s total funding to $3.7 million following an earlier $1.4…

Read More “Why Enakl’s Model Appeals to Climate and Urban Infrastructure Funds” »

Funding