Solarise Africa, a pan-African energy company, has secured €1 million ($1.1 million) in grant funding from the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) to expand its solar leasing business into Uganda and Zambia, targeting commercial and industrial customers seeking more reliable electricity and lower energy costs.

The grant will be matched by €1 million ($1.1 million) in co-financing from Solarise Africa, creating a €2 million ($2.2 million), 24-month program to establish operations in both countries. The company plans to deploy decentralized renewable energy systems for businesses and social institutions while building local partnerships and a pipeline of projects.

New markets, bigger ambitions

The expansion will extend Solarise Africa’s financing-led energy model into two markets where businesses need dependable power to manage operating costs and maintain production. The company combines renewable energy technology with long-term financing, allowing customers to access energy infrastructure without committing as much capital upfront.

By the end of the program, Solarise Africa targets 3 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity, including solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage and, where appropriate, heat pumps. The company will also track electricity generation and emissions reductions against contractual milestones as it develops its operations in the two countries.

Measuring the energy impact

The project targets at least 4.5 gigawatt-hours of verified renewable electricity generation and 3,600 metric tons of avoided carbon dioxide emissions. Those targets are intended to demonstrate the commercial and environmental benefits of decentralized energy systems for businesses and institutions facing unreliable or expensive electricity supplies.

“This grant represents much more than entry into two new markets. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that a model we have spent years building and refining can be successfully replicated across Africa,” said Jan Albert Valk, co-founder and CEO of Solarise Africa.

Financing Africa’s power needs

Founded in 2018, Solarise Africa provides decentralized energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers. The company has expanded from an energy financing provider into an integrated energy business offering engineering, financing, operations and maintenance, and energy optimization services.

Its model combines energy expertise with financing and credit-risk assessment tailored to African markets. By providing access to renewable power and related services, the company aims to help businesses manage energy expenditure while preserving capital for core operations, expansion and other investments.

Grant funding attracts private capital

EEP Africa provides early-stage grants and catalytic financing for clean energy projects, technologies and business models in Southern and East Africa. Its support is intended to help companies overcome early development and market-entry barriers that can make it harder to secure commercial financing for new projects.

For Solarise Africa, the funding will support the establishment of operating platforms in Uganda and Zambia, the development of its project pipeline and the rollout of additional installations. Successful execution could create a base for further private investment as the company builds its presence in both markets.