Spark, a Netherlands-based provider of modular solar home systems, has raised €2 million (approximately $2.3 million) in a seed funding round to expand access to clean and affordable electricity across sub-Saharan Africa.
The funding was led by CEI Africa, a development-finance fund managed by Triple Jump and established by German development bank KfW, with additional support from the Swiss Development Cooperation.
Headquartered in Breda, Spark supplies solar solutions through local distributors across more than 23 countries. Its product portfolio includes plug-and-play solar kits, pay-as-you-go technology and a digital management portal that helps distribution partners manage their operations.
Spark uses a modular approach that allows households to begin with basic lighting systems and gradually add appliances as their energy needs and financial capacity increase. This model helps reduce the upfront cost of adopting solar power, particularly for households in communities without reliable grid electricity.
Founded in 2013, the company estimates that its technology has reached around two million people in countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Madagascar. Instead of selling directly to consumers, Spark works through local distribution partners, allowing it to leverage established networks for last-mile delivery.
The newly raised capital will primarily be used to strengthen financial support for Spark’s distributor network. The company plans to begin the initial phases of two new initiatives, Spark Catalyse and Spark Connect, alongside its existing Spark Invest platform. These programs are expected to provide flexible payment terms and working capital solutions to distributors facing inventory and financing constraints.
The investment comes as efforts to improve energy access across Africa gain momentum. Despite ongoing progress, millions of people across the continent still lack reliable access to electricity. The World Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030, is also increasing attention on scalable energy-access solutions.
According to Spark Managing Director Marcel van Heist, global progress toward universal energy access remains behind targets, making stronger financing and distribution models increasingly important.
CEI Africa representatives highlighted Spark’s modular business model as a way to improve the commercial viability of local solar distributors while supporting long-term clean energy deployment.
However, Spark continues to face challenges linked to high borrowing costs and currency fluctuations in its key markets. Despite these risks, the new investment highlights the growing role of development finance in strengthening local distribution networks and accelerating off-grid solar adoption across sub-Saharan Africa.
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