Author: Africa Digest News

South Africa Advances Energy Transition with Middlepunt Solar Financial Close

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Mulilo has achieved financial close on the Middlepunt Solar PV project, a 337 MW (DC) / 240 MW (AC) utility-scale solar photovoltaic facility located near Welkom in South Africa’s Free State province. The milestone, reached in April 2026, marks a significant step in the country’s renewable energy expansion under Bid Window 7. Once fully operational,…

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Funding

Mirepa Targets Diaspora Demand with Investment in Ghanaian Food Producer

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Posted on April 15, 2026 by Africa Digest News Mirepa Investment Advisors has completed an investment in Uniik Foods through its SME private equity vehicle, Mirepa Capital SME Fund I. The transaction will support the company’s next phase of growth by modernising production infrastructure, expanding manufacturing capacity, and strengthening both domestic distribution and international export operations. Headquartered in…

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Agri-SMEs, Funding

Energy-Efficient AI Gains Momentum as Refiant Secures Backing from VoLo Earth Ventures

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Posted on April 15, 2026 by Africa Digest News South African-founded artificial intelligence startup Refiant has secured US$5 million in seed funding, led by climate-focused investment firm VoLo Earth Ventures. The capital will accelerate the development and commercialisation of its proprietary model compression technology, which significantly reduces the energy and infrastructure required to run large-scale AI systems. The…

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Clean energy, Funding

PowerLabs Targets Nigeria’s Power Crisis with AI-Powered Energy Platform

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Posted on April 15, 2026 by Africa Digest News PowerLabs, a Nigerian energy and climate technology startup, has successfully raised pre-seed funding in a round led by venture firm Breega, with participation from Catalyst Fund, Mercy Corps Ventures, and Kaleo Ventures. The capital will be deployed to scale Pai, its core artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to help businesses…

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Funding, Energy

How Acumen Is Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Through Coffee

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Acumen has made a strategic investment in Mountain Harvest, a Ugandan speciality coffee company that partners with smallholder farmers to deliver higher incomes and promote climate-resilient regenerative agriculture. The investment will support the construction of a temperature-controlled warehouse, dry mill and colour sorter, and land acquisition to expand processing capacity and strengthen the company’s supply…

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Agri-SMEs, Funding

AgDevCo Deepens Bet on Aquaculture with Victory Group Expansion

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AgDevCo has committed US$15 million in a follow-on investment to Victory Group, a fast-growing aquaculture company operating in Kenya and Rwanda. The mezzanine loan, announced on 8 April 2026, builds on AgDevCo’s initial US$4 million investment made in 2021 and reflects continued confidence in the company’s strategy, operational performance, and long-term impact potential. Victory Group…

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Agri-SMEs, Funding

Treasury’s 600-EV Plan Signals Turning Point for Kenya’s E-Mobility Sector

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Kenya’s National Treasury has launched the country’s largest single public-sector electric mobility procurement to date, inviting bids to lease 600 electric vehicles and supply 70 fast chargers under a four-year fleet expansion programme. The tender, which closes on 21 April 2026, will equip the National Government Administrative Services, National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and…

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EV

Why the GCF Is Expanding Its Presence in Developing Regions

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The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has selected Nairobi, Kenya, as the host city for its new Eastern and Southern Africa regional office. This decision, announced during the GCF’s 44th Board meeting, held from 25 to 28 March 2026 in Songdo, South Korea, represents a landmark shift in the Fund’s operational model. At the same meeting,…

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News updates

Can KCB Bridge the Climate Finance Gap for MSMEs?

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KCB Bank Kenya has secured approval from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for a US$96.9 million (KSh 12.5 billion) blended finance facility under the Climate Smart Technology (CST) programme. The approval, confirmed in late March 2026, combines concessional lending, a guarantee, and a grant component to enable affordable financing for micro, small and medium enterprises…

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Funding

What Private Equity Firms Look for in Cleantech Investments

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Private Equity (PE) firms are investment funds that acquire significant ownership stakes, typically majority or substantial minority positions in established, more mature companies. Unlike venture capital, which focuses on early-stage, high-risk ventures, private equity targets companies that have already demonstrated proven business models, consistent revenue streams, and often positive cash flows. Core characteristics include: Significant…

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Funding