Issue #16. Africa's 50 Most Funded Climate-Tech Startups. Part V (41-50).

Welcome to part V of Africa’s Most Funded Climate-tech Startups. If you are reading this and didn't read part I, part II or part III, you can find them here for part I, part II, part III and part IV. Highly recommend reading them before you read Part V to get proper context. In part V, we are profiling startups ranked 41-50 on our list. Here is a summary of the startups that we are profiling today.  

Lets dive into the profiles.

41. Oolu

Country: Senegal 

Amount Raised: USD 14 M 

Funding Rounds: 3

Sector: Solar 

Oolu, founded in 2015 by Nilmi Senaratna and Dan Rosa, is a leading off-grid solar company operating in West Africa. Based in Dakar, Senegal, Oolu provides affordable, high-quality solar home systems to rural households through a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model. 

Its offerings include solar kits capable of powering lights, phone chargers, radios, fans, and televisions, with maintenance services such as free battery replacements and system upgrades. 

The company’s mission is to deliver clean energy solutions that improve living conditions while reducing reliance on hazardous lighting sources like kerosene and candles. The name "Oolu," meaning "trust" in Wolof, reflects its commitment to fostering strong relationships with local communities.

Oolu has successfully scaled its operations across Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria. By 2021, the company raised $8.5 million in Series B funding led by RP Global and has secured over $14 million in total financing. 

In April 2024, Oolu was acquired by Ignite Power, further strengthening its ability to expand its impact across West Africa. With a customer-centric model and localized approach, Oolu has become one of the fastest-growing solar firms in the region, providing energy access to underserved populations while driving sustainable development. 

42. Decentral Energy

Country: South Africa 

Amount Raised: USD 12M

Funding Rounds: 1

Sector: Solar  

Decentral Energy, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a renewable energy company specializing in solar solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. 

The company provides fully financed solar systems through models like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and lease-to-own options, enabling businesses to achieve energy security without upfront capital. 

Decentral Energy designs, owns, and manages clean energy assets tailored to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Its portfolio includes projects like the 439 kWp solar system at Emalahleni Shopping Centre and a 185 kWp installation at Excelsior Paints.

The company has raised $12.1 million in funding, with investments from organizations such as Lions Head Global Partners, Flyt Property Investment, Anuva Investments, and support from the U.S. Agency for International Development under the Power Africa initiative. 

These funds have enabled Decentral Energy to expand its capacity to 10 MW of installed solar assets and develop an additional 500 MW currently in progress. Its efforts are projected to reduce emissions by 328,000 tons of CO2 annually while supporting key sectors affected by South Africa's energy crisis.

Decentral Energy plays a vital role in addressing load shedding and advancing the decarbonization of South Africa’s energy sector. By leveraging innovative financing models and expanding its renewable energy portfolio, the company is driving sustainable growth while providing reliable power solutions to businesses across the country.

43. Arnergy 

Country: Nigeria 

Amount Raised: USD 12M 

Funding Rounds: 2

Sector: Solar  

Arnergy, founded in 2013 by Femi Adeyemo and Kunle Odebunmi, is a Nigerian renewable energy company providing solar solutions tailored to address energy reliability challenges in emerging markets. 

Headquartered in Lagos, Arnergy designs and deploys modular solar systems with lithium-ion battery storage for commercial, industrial, and residential clients. 

The company’s offerings include rooftop solar installations and microgrid solutions that displace carbon-intensive diesel generators, delivering cost-effective and reliable electricity to sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, agribusiness, and education.

Arnergy has raised significant funding to scale its operations. In 2019, it secured $9 million in Series A funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Norfund. This was followed by a $3 million bridge round in 2024 led by All On, an impact investing company seeded by Shell. 

These investments have enabled Arnergy to deploy over 7MWp of solar photovoltaic systems and 20MWh of lithium battery energy storage solutions across Nigeria. The company has achieved remarkable growth, including a 10X increase in revenue and the mitigation of over 5,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

With operations spanning all 36 states of Nigeria, Arnergy is driving the adoption of clean energy solutions while addressing the country’s persistent power reliability issues. Its innovative approach combines technology-enabled systems with flexible financing models like long-term leases and energy-as-a-service agreements, positioning it as a leader in Nigeria’s renewable energy transition. 

44. Easy Solar 

Country: Sierra Leone 

Amount Raised: USD 12M 

Funding Rounds: 2 

Sector: Solar 

Easy Solar, founded in 2016, is a social enterprise based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, that provides affordable solar energy solutions to underserved communities in West Africa. The company offers a range of solar products, including lanterns, home kits, and appliances, made accessible through a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model. 

Customers can make small payments via mobile money, enabling even low-income households to transition from costly and hazardous energy sources like kerosene to clean, reliable solar power. Easy Solar also integrates financial services into its offerings, empowering rural communities with energy access and financial inclusion.

The company has raised $12 million in funding from investors such as Acumen, Triodos Investment Management, and Trine. This capital has supported Easy Solar’s expansion into Liberia and its efforts to electrify more than 300,000 homes across Sierra Leone. In addition to household energy solutions, Easy Solar has electrified over 20 healthcare facilities in remote areas, significantly improving healthcare delivery. Its operations have created over 450 jobs and saved households millions of dollars in energy costs annually.

By combining innovative financing with localized distribution networks, Easy Solar is addressing one of West Africa's most pressing challenges—energy poverty. Its impact extends beyond lighting homes to fostering economic growth and improving quality of life for thousands of families across the region. 

45. Solar Panda

Country: Kenya 

Amount Raised: USD 11M 

Funding Rounds: 2

Sector: Solar 

Solar Panda, founded in 2017 by Andy Keith, is a Canadian social enterprise providing affordable solar home systems to rural African communities without access to electricity. 

Headquartered in Toronto and Nairobi, Solar Panda offers innovative products through a rent-to-own model, enabling families to access clean energy for less than the daily cost of kerosene. 

Its solar kits include lights, mobile charging, radios, lanterns, and torches, with upgrade options for premium appliances like televisions. Customers make small payments via mobile money and own the system outright within one to two years, improving their quality of life while building credit histories.

Operating primarily in Kenya, Solar Panda has grown rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing solar home system providers in the region. 

By 2022, it had reached over 1 million Kenyans through its network of 37 shops and 800 field agents. The company raised $8 million in Series A funding to support its expansion and has been recognized as the third fastest-growing company in Canada by Report on Business Magazine. 

Solar Panda's commitment to sustainability and affordability has positioned it as a leader in off-grid solar solutions, transforming lives while reducing reliance on harmful kerosene lighting.

46. Redavia 

Country: Ghana 

Amount Raised: USD 9.5M

Funding Rounds: 7

Sector: Solar 

Redavia is a climate tech company founded in 2010 by Erwin Spolders, with operations in Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. 

It specializes in providing modular, containerized solar energy solutions for businesses in sub-Saharan Africa. These systems are designed to be easy to deploy, scale, and redeploy, offering businesses clean and cost-effective energy through flexible leasing agreements. 

Redavia primarily serves industries like agro-food processing, manufacturing, education, and public infrastructure. Over the years, it has expanded its product line to include solutions such as solar carports and energy storage systems.

In terms of funding, Redavia has participated in several rounds. According to Owler, it has raised $5.7 million across three rounds. The most recent round was in April 2022, where it secured $3.1 million from EDFI ElectriFI to support its expansion in Ghana and Kenya. In April 2021, Redavia received $898,000 from Trine, marking one of Trine's fastest-funded loans. In July 2020, it received $1.7 million from EEP Africa. 

Country: Uganda 

Amount Raised: USD 9M 

Funding Rounds: 1 

Sector: Solar 

SolarNow, founded in 2011, is a renewable energy company dedicated to providing clean, affordable, and reliable solar energy solutions across East Africa. 

Headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, with operations extending to Kenya and the Netherlands, SolarNow initially focused on rural consumers and small businesses. Over time, it has evolved into a leading provider of commercial and institutional (C&I) solar solutions, catering to industries such as hospitality, real estate, education, healthcare, and non-profits. 

The company specializes in on-grid and off-grid solar photovoltaic systems, offering services from design and installation to maintenance. SolarNow's mission is to drive the energy transition in East Africa by delivering tailored solar solutions that reduce reliance on fuel-based alternatives and supplement or replace grid electricity.

A notable milestone was a $9 million debt round six years ago, which supported its expansion efforts. 

The company has also partnered with Hydrobox to commission Kenya's first hybrid solar-hydro plant in 2023, showcasing its commitment to innovative energy solutions. 

SolarNow recently rebranded to emphasize its "engineering-first" approach and focus on C&I customers while maintaining its reputation for quality and client-centricity. With a track record of serving thousands of clients and installing significant solar capacity, SolarNow continues to pioneer renewable energy solutions that transform communities and businesses across the region. 

48. Kubik 

Country: Ethiopia

Amount Raised: USD 8.5M

Funding Rounds: 3

Sector: Waste Management 

Kubik, founded in 2021 by Kidus Asfaw and Penda Marre, is a climate tech startup based in Ethiopia. The company transforms hard-to-recycle plastic waste into affordable, durable, and low-carbon building materials, addressing both environmental pollution and Africa's housing deficit. 

Kubik’s interlocking construction blocks cost at least 40% less per square meter than traditional cement-based developments and produce five times fewer greenhouse gas emissions. 

Operating out of Ethiopia’s Adama Industrial Park, Kubik removes 45,000 kilograms of plastic waste daily from landfills while empowering female waste collectors and promoting circular economy principles.

Kubik has achieved remarkable milestones in funding and recognition. In 2023, it raised $3.34 million in seed funding from investors like Plug & Play, BESTSELLER Foundation, GIIG Africa Fund, and Satgana to scale operations in Ethiopia. This was followed by a $5.2 million seed round in 2024, supported by African Renaissance Partners, Endgame Capital, and King Philanthropies. 

These funds are being used to expand production capacity, strengthen technology for tracking waste impact, and deepen its reach across Africa. Kubik has also earned accolades such as Startup of the Year 2023 at the Global Startup Awards and recognition as Africa’s leading climate tech startup by the IFC at VivaTech Paris. With escalating demand for affordable housing solutions across the continent, Kubik is poised to lead sustainable development while tackling one of Africa’s most pressing challenges.

49. Hohm Energy

Country: South Africa 

Amount Raised: USD 8.5M 

Funding Rounds: 2 

Sector: Solar 

Hohm Energy, founded in 2021 by Tim Ohlsen and Emir Gluhbegovic, is a South African climate startup based in Johannesburg, Gauteng. It specializes in providing solar energy solutions and backup power kits, offering a platform that connects homeowners and businesses with accredited solar installers, product suppliers, and financiers. 

Hohm Energy's innovative approach includes a proprietary software platform and marketplace that streamlines the solar purchasing process, enabling customers to digitally assess their solar energy needs and access financing options through partnerships with major South African banks like Investec and Nedbank.

Hohm Energy has raised a total of approximately $8 million to $12 million across its funding rounds. The most notable round was an $8 million seed funding in February 2024, led by E3 Capital and 4DX Ventures, with participation from several other investors. 

This funding aimed to accelerate rooftop solar adoption in South Africa by enhancing technology, product innovation, and solar installer skills. However, despite this investment, Hohm Energy has faced financial difficulties, leading to a suspension of operations and entry into business rescue proceedings due to cash flow issues and challenges in servicing debts. The company's parent, Spark Energy, plans to invest further under a new business model and management team after the rescue process. 

50. Wecyclers 

Country: Nigeria 

Amount Raised: USD 7.7M 

Funding Rounds: 2

Sector: Waste Management  

Wecyclers, founded in 2012 by Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola and her co-founders, is a Nigerian waste management company transforming urban waste into economic value. 

Headquartered in Lagos, Wecyclers addresses the city's garbage crisis by incentivizing low-income communities to recycle. The company uses locally assembled cargo bicycles, motorized tricycles, vans, and trucks to collect recyclable materials such as plastics, aluminum, and paper from households. 

Subscribers earn points based on the weight of their recyclables, which can be redeemed for essential goods like food and household items. Wecyclers also supplies recycled materials to manufacturers who repurpose them into products like furniture and aluminum sheets.

Over the years, Wecyclers has achieved significant milestones in funding and partnerships. In 2023, it secured funds from a Norwegian initiative to establish a PET bottle recycling plant in Ogun State. 

The same year, it joined forces with Unilever and the UK government through a partnership organized by Société Générale to expand its operations, targeting the collection of 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste over five years. 

Earlier funding came from sources like the MIT Public Service Center and the Carroll L. Wilson Award during its formative years as part of the MIT IDEAS Global Challenge. Wecyclers has also garnered recognition through awards such as the Le Monde Smart-Cities Innovation Award (2017) and the King Baudouin Award (2019). With its innovative approach to waste management, Wecyclers continues to inspire cleaner cities while empowering communities economically.