Renewables
Solarise Africa secures funding for regional solar expansion
Solarise Africa has obtained a €1 million grant to deploy renewable energy infrastructure in Zambia and Uganda.
Key points
- EEP Africa provided a €1 million grant, matched by Solarise Africa to form a €2 million investment package.
- The 24-month initiative targets the deployment of 3 megawatts of renewable energy capacity.
- Zambia faced an electricity supply deficit of approximately 707 MW in 2025, according to an IMF report.
What happened
Renewable energy provider Solarise Africa has obtained a €1 million grant from EEP Africa to launch operations in Zambia and scale up its footprint in Uganda, Africa Sustainability Matters reported. The company will match the funding with an equal contribution, creating a total investment package of €2 million over a 24-month period.
The programme aims to deploy 3 megawatts of clean energy capacity, focusing primarily on solar installations alongside battery storage and heat pumps. According to company co-founder Sakkie Van Wijk, quoted by Africa Sustainability Matters, the initiative seeks to establish commercially viable operations that will persist beyond the initial funding window. "The long-term prospects extend far beyond this project," he stated.
Why it matters
Commercial enterprises in both countries grapple with persistent power deficits. In Zambia, electricity generation relies heavily on hydropower, leaving the grid vulnerable to hydrological fluctuations. An International Monetary Fund assessment published in January 2026 noted that Zambia experienced an electricity supply deficit of roughly 707 megawatts during the previous year.
World Bank figures for 2024 indicate that electricity access stands at 53.6 percent in Zambia and 55.3 percent in Uganda, with per capita consumption remaining well below global averages. Decentralised renewable solutions offer businesses a way to mitigate operational disruptions caused by unreliable public power supplies.
What comes next
The 24-month programme will test the commercial viability of distributed solar and storage systems for regional businesses. Success will depend on customer demand, regulatory conditions and the formation of effective local partnerships to sustain infrastructure deployment after the grant period concludes.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
90.0% of electricity in Uganda was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
