Leading the conversation on Climate in Africa
The upfront cost of a solar system is the single biggest reason many Kenyan households and businesses delay switching from KPLC, even when the long-term savings are obvious. The good news is that solar financing in Kenya has matured significantly, and there are now several realistic paths to going solar without paying the full cost…
Most Kenyan homes that install solar recover their investment in 4 to 7 years and then enjoy 18 to 21 years of essentially free electricity afterward, since a well-installed solar system typically lasts around 25 years. Meanwhile, KPLC rates keep climbing by roughly 5 to 8 percent every year, while the cost of a solar…
MTN Nigeria is rolling out one of the country’s most ambitious telecoms energy transitions, partnering with First WATT Renewable Limited to deploy 34 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity and 40 MWh of battery energy storage across critical network infrastructure while simultaneously installing electric vehicle charging stations at eight locations nationwide. The programme places MTN Nigeria…
Anzana Electric Group has closed a $20 million senior secured portfolio debt facility with British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, and the implications stretch well beyond a single funding round. Filling the Gap That Big Finance Ignores One of the most persistent structural problems in African clean energy development is the financing…
Read More “How Anzana Secured $20M to Scale Run-of-River Hydropower Projects Across Africa” »
Enko Capital has announced that its Impact Credit Strategy, which recently reached a first close of US$100 million, has made a strategic investment in Metalosul, an Angolan subsidiary of the Omatapalo Group. The financing will support the acquisition of photovoltaic panels for a 724 MW solar infrastructure project in Luanda, one of the largest renewable…
Read More “Enko Capital Supports Angola’s Energy Transition with Solar Infrastructure Investment” »
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…
Read More “Energy-Efficient AI Gains Momentum as Refiant Secures Backing from VoLo Earth Ventures” »
Growth equity, also referred to as late-stage private equity or expansion capital, involves the provision of capital to mature companies that have already established proven traction, demonstrated scalable business models, consistent revenue growth, and often positive or near-positive unit economics. These investments are designed to fuel rapid scaling, geographic expansion, product diversification, market leadership consolidation,…
Read More “Can Late-Stage Investors Close the Climate Commercialisation Gap?” »
Inspired Evolution has successfully exited its controlling stake in Commercial Energy SA (CESA), a leading South African clean-energy platform specialising in commercial and industrial (C&I) solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) assets. The transaction, completed in February 2026, transferred the Evolution II Fund’s shareholding to SolarAfrica Energy, which now becomes the sole…
Read More “How Inspired Evolution Exited Its Controlling Stake in Commercial Energy SA” »
Vantage Capital has invested R635 million (approximately US$39.5 million) in Commercial Energy South Africa (CESA), a subsidiary of SolarAfrica, through a mezzanine debt facility. The transaction, completed in February 2026, was executed in partnership with co-investor Greenpoint Capital and facilitated the full exit of Inspired Evolution from CESA. As a result, SolarAfrica now holds 100%…
Read More “How Vantage Capital Deployed R635 Million Into Commercial Energy South Africa” »
The GSMA has launched the Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile, a grant programme that provides targeted support to small and growing enterprises in Africa, Central and South America, and South and Southeast Asia. Applications are open until 6 April 2026, with full terms and conditions available on the official GSMA website. The fund…
Read More “Why GSMA Is Investing in Clean Energy for Mobile Connectivity” »
