KawiSafi Ventures, a for-profit impact fund focused on off-grid solar in East Africa and led by Kenya-born investor and entrepreneur Amar Inamdar, has invested $2 million in Orb Energy to help expand the solar company’s commercial and industrial business across East Africa, targeting a market where high power costs and unreliable electricity continue to drive demand for alternative energy. The investment is earmarked for Orb’s African operations.

The capital will support Orb Energy’s growing pipeline in Kenya and other East African markets as projects move from development and contracting into construction and commissioning. The funding comes as businesses across the region seek ways to reduce dependence on costly and unreliable grid electricity while managing the upfront expense of solar installations.

Scaling commercial solar

Founded in Bengaluru in 2006, Orb Energy operates in India and Kenya and manufactures solar panels at its Bengaluru facilities. Its African headquarters are in Nairobi, where the company provides solar systems and financing to commercial and industrial customers in manufacturing, agro-processing, health care and hospitality.

Orb has installed nearly 15 megawatts of rooftop solar capacity for more than 60 commercial and industrial customers across East Africa. The new funding is expected to help the company advance additional projects while strengthening its ability to finance installations through different stages of development and construction.

Customers can either purchase Orb’s solar systems outright or use financing structures that reduce the initial capital needed to install the equipment. That model is aimed at businesses that want to lower electricity costs but may be reluctant or unable to commit substantial capital to solar projects upfront.

Capital for regional growth

Amar Inamdar, managing director of KawiSafi Ventures, said the investment will help Orb expand its project pipeline and mobilize additional capital for solar deployment across East Africa. Damian Miller, Orb’s co-founder and CEO, said the company plans to expand its regional presence, strengthen its local team and develop partnerships with financiers.

KawiSafi was established in 2016 by Acumen to manage its for-profit climate investment strategy in Africa. The investment was made through KawiSafi Ventures’ second fund, which announced $90 million in approved capital in late 2025, following a $67 million predecessor fund launched in 2016. The firm aims to expand access to clean, affordable energy for more than 10 million people in East Africa.

KawiSafi’s Africa focus

The Nairobi-based firm is managed by Acumen Capital Partners, a wholly owned subsidiary of Acumen, which was founded by Jacqueline Novogratz as a for-profit impact investment organization.

Inamdar has led KawiSafi Ventures since 2017 and brings more than 25 years of private-sector experience across emerging markets, according to the firm. Before joining KawiSafi, he managed investment projects at the International Finance Corp. and World Bank and later worked at Royal Dutch Shell on African energy markets.