WeLight, Africa’s largest solar mini-grid operator, has announced an ambitious expansion plan worth $650 million to significantly increase electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa. The company aims to expand its customer base ten-fold and reach one million electricity connections by 2030, marking one of the largest private investments in off-grid renewable energy on the continent.
Founded in 2018, WeLight currently operates more solar mini-grids than any other company in Africa. Its new expansion strategy will focus primarily on Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), two countries that face some of the world’s biggest electricity access challenges. Together, Nigeria and the DRC account for around 170 million people who still lack access to electricity, making them key markets for off-grid energy solutions.
Out of the total investment, WeLight plans to spend $450 million on developing solar mini-grid infrastructure in Nigeria and the DRC. The remaining $200 million will support the expansion of its existing operations in Madagascar and Mali while also funding its entry into a fifth African country, which has not yet been announced.
According to Chief Executive Officer Romain de Villeneuve, the company expects to raise half of the required funding through renewable energy programs supported by development institutions. These include the World Bank-backed DARES initiative in Nigeria and the Mwinda Fund in the DRC. The remaining capital will come from equity investments by existing and new shareholders, along with concessional loans. The company believes that public and development financing will continue to play an important role alongside private investment in expanding electricity access.
WeLight’s expansion also supports the wider goal of the World Bank and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Solar mini-grids are considered one of the most practical solutions for providing reliable electricity to rural and remote communities where extending the national grid is often expensive and difficult.
The company currently serves around 65,000 electricity connections, mainly in Madagascar, and is already working to increase that figure to 90,000. WeLight was founded by Axian Group Ltd., Sagemcom SAS, and Norfund AS. Its financial strength has also improved with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) becoming the company’s first new investor since its establishment. With strong financial backing and growing international support, WeLight is expected to play a major role in expanding clean and reliable electricity access across Africa over the coming years.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
