Solarise Africa has secured €1 million in grant funding from the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) to support the expansion of its solar leasing and decentralised renewable energy solutions into Uganda and Zambia. The funding will be matched by an additional €1 million in co-financing from Solarise Africa, creating a €2 million programme aimed at strengthening renewable energy access for commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses and social institutions across both countries.
The 24-month initiative will focus on establishing local operations, developing strategic partnerships and deploying decentralised renewable energy infrastructure. Under the programme, Solarise Africa plans to install 3 MW of new renewable energy capacity, incorporating solar photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage solutions and heat pump technologies where appropriate.
The expansion is intended to address persistent energy challenges affecting businesses across African markets, including unreliable electricity supply, rising energy costs and limited access to suitable financing for renewable energy investments.
Founded in 2018, Solarise Africa developed its business model to help companies adopt renewable energy technologies without facing substantial upfront capital requirements. The company has since expanded its operations across Southern and East Africa, offering integrated energy solutions that combine engineering, financing, operations and maintenance, and energy optimisation services.
Through its solar leasing model, Solarise Africa enables businesses to access renewable energy infrastructure through long-term financing arrangements designed around their operational and financial requirements.
The EEP Africa-supported programme will allow the company to strengthen its presence in Uganda and establish its first project portfolio in Zambia. The initiative will also support the development of local operating structures, partnerships and project pipelines to facilitate further renewable energy deployment beyond the initial funding period.
Commenting on the funding, Jan Albert Valk, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Solarise Africa, stated that the grant represents an opportunity to replicate the company’s established renewable energy financing model in additional African markets.
He highlighted that businesses across the continent continue to face challenges in accessing reliable, affordable and cleaner electricity, while conventional financing arrangements often remain unsuitable for renewable energy investments. Solarise Africa aims to address this gap by combining energy technology deployment with accessible financing solutions.
The programme includes measurable energy and environmental performance targets. By the end of the project, Solarise Africa expects to deploy 3 MW of additional renewable energy generation capacity, supporting improved electricity reliability for participating businesses and institutions.
Under the project’s contractual milestones, the company will report and verify at least 4.5 GWh of renewable electricity generation and approximately 3,600 tonnes of avoided carbon dioxide emissions.
The funding also builds on Solarise Africa’s experience in securing institutional investment for commercial and industrial renewable energy projects. Since its establishment, the company has attracted equity and debt financing from African and international investors and development finance institutions, supporting its expansion from Kenya into a broader regional energy platform.
EEP Africa’s grant is expected to play a catalytic role by reducing the financial and operational barriers associated with entering new markets. The funding will support the establishment of local business operations, project development activities and initial renewable energy installations, creating opportunities to attract additional private-sector investment.
Sakkie van Wijk, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Solarise Africa, emphasised that the company’s long-term objective extends beyond the initial programme. He stated that Solarise Africa intends to establish commercially sustainable operations in Uganda and Zambia that can continue developing renewable energy infrastructure after the grant period concludes.
The expansion comes as businesses across Africa increasingly seek alternatives to unreliable electricity grids and fossil fuel-based backup generation. Decentralised solar power and battery storage technologies are emerging as important solutions for improving energy security, managing electricity costs and reducing emissions.
By integrating renewable energy technologies with long-term financing and operational support, Solarise Africa aims to enable businesses and institutions to adopt cleaner electricity solutions while improving operational efficiency and competitiveness.
The €2 million programme is expected to contribute to renewable energy deployment, local economic development and emissions reduction in Uganda and Zambia. It also represents another step in Solarise Africa’s broader strategy to expand decentralised renewable energy infrastructure and strengthen access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity across African markets.
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