Startups in Africa are tapping into surging demand for affordable, off-grid energy solutions while attracting growing investor interest.
Alida Ban Pavlovic, Second Eye Africa
In Eastern Uganda, a solar lamp flickers to life as dusk settles over a farming village. The device, sold by a local agent from Solar Sister, means school children can study after dark and families can charge their phones without trekking for hours.
It’s a small shift, but one that reflects a growing trend across Africa–– where green tech ventures are scaling up, drawing new capital and building solutions around one of the continent’s most abundant resources: sunlight.
Recent data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows that sub-Saharan Africa saw a 12% increase in renewable energy capacity in 2024, one of the fastest growth rates globally.
Fuelling that growth is a wave of homegrown ventures—many of them led by or empowering women—that are tackling the clean energy challenge not just with technology, but with community-driven solutions.
Estimates from the World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Climate in Africa 2024 report show that last year was Africa’s hottest on record.
Extreme heat, erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts disrupted livelihoods across the continent.
But the near-constant sunshine presents an opportunity. For startups and investors alike, it offers a chance to build sustainable energy systems that can leapfrog unreliable grids and fuel growth in both cities and remote communities.
Now, clean-tech startups continue to lay the groundwork for cleaner, more decentralised energy systems on the continent.
Often, investors are circling back, drawn not only by rising demand for power but also by the structural potential of clean energy to unlock economic growth in underserved areas.
In Zambia, WidEnergy Africa is helping rural households switch from kerosene lamps to pay-as-you-go solar systems. Their business model, which blends accessibility with affordability, is rooted in social equity, where 60% of the company’s workforce is female.
That same principle drives Solar Sister, a social enterprise in Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan.
By training grassroots networks of women entrepreneurs to distribute solar lanterns and clean cookstoves, Solar Sister has reached more than 4.3 million people and created thousands of jobs.
“Independent research that Solar Sister’s model improves not only a woman’s household income but also health, education, and a woman’s status and control over resources,” Solar Sister states on its website.
“Income allows women to contribute to household earnings and gain confidence, financial independence, and respect from their families. Women entrepreneurs start to play a larger role in household decision-making.”
According to a recent Power for All report, decentralised renewables like these are proving to be the most cost-effective way to reach the 600 million Africans still living without electricity.
In Nigeria, the Clean Technology Hub is doubling down on support for women-led climate startups. Through a blend of incubation, technical training, and seed funding, the hub is catalysing a new wave of inclusive clean tech innovation. Across the continent in South Africa, WomHub is running a parallel track—accelerating women founders in STEM industries, with a sharp focus on green energy.
Kenya has long been a leader in renewable energy, and startups like Strauss Energy Ltd are raising the bar. The company produces solar roofing tiles that merge seamlessly with existing construction—offering not just power, but architectural efficiency. It’s a solution tailored to Kenya’s growing middle class and urbanisation trends, but its implications extend far beyond.
Another Kenyan firm, Solar Freeze, is addressing the post-harvest losses that plague smallholder farmers. Their solar-powered cold storage units are already changing the game in rural markets where food spoilage is a daily challenge. Complementing this is Safi Organics, which turns agricultural waste into biochar—a form of renewable energy that enriches soil and captures carbon.
East Africa is also home to M-Kyala Ventures, which blends renewable energy systems with agricultural innovations, helping farmers power irrigation systems and improve yields sustainably. This intersection between energy and food security is becoming increasingly critical, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns of mounting climate pressure on African agriculture.
In Cameroon, the Green Girls Organisation is building the next generation of female green tech leaders. Through hands-on training in solar panel installation, biodigesters, and eco-briquette production, the organisation equips girls with tangible skills to tackle energy poverty and climate change.
And in Liberia, Easy Solar is making clean energy affordable for the last mile. Their portable solar systems, offered through flexible financing models, have reached more than 800,000 people in off-grid communities.
A World Bank study released earlier this year noted that Liberia’s electrification rate has jumped significantly in regions where decentralised providers like Easy Solar operate.
While the momentum is clear, scaling Africa’s green tech sector will require sustained investment.
The African Development Bank estimates that the continent needs over $70 billion annually to meet its climate and energy goals.
Encouragingly, 2024 saw a record $4.4 billion raised for clean energy investments in Africa, according to BloombergNEF, a 38% increase from the previous year.
Still, challenges remain. Infrastructure gaps, policy inconsistencies, and limited access to venture capital continue to slow progress in some regions. But the ingenuity of African entrepreneurs—and their focus on solutions that work for local contexts—offers a compelling roadmap for sustainable development.
