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South African Solar Startup Wetility Raises $48 Million For Expansion

New Investments

South African Solar Startup Wetility Raises $48 Million For Expansion

Wetility, a South African startup that offers solar energy solutions for households and businesses, has raised R903 million (~$48 million) in debt and equity.
 
 
 
 

MultiChoice, a leading African media and entertainment company, led the funding round.

Other investors in the round include Sanlam, a financial services group, and “large commercial and development banks”.

The funding will accelerate Wetility’s expansion plans and grow its customer base.

The company plans to use the funds to install solar panels on more homes and businesses and to develop new products and services.

Wetility was founded in 2019 by Vincent Maposa and Johanna Hortz.

The company’s flagship product is a digital solar energy management system that allows users to manage their power usage remotely.

The system includes rooftop solar panels, a hybrid inverter, lithium-ion batteries, and switchgear and consists of a dashboard where users can monitor their energy usage and make payments.

Wetility’s solar energy solutions are designed to help South Africans reduce their reliance on the country’s unreliable power grid.

In recent years, Eskom, the state-owned power utility, has struggled to meet demand for electricity, leading to frequent power outages.

With the new funding, Wetility is poised to become one of the country’s leading solar energy solutions providers.

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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Rentoza Secures $6M in Funding to Revolutionize African E-commerce

New Investments

Rentoza Secures $6M in Funding to Revolutionize African E-commerce

Rentoza, a South African online subscription platform that allows users to rent electronics, furniture, and other home goods, has secured $6 million in funding.
 
 
 
 

The investment round was led by Alitheia IDF, a women-led and women-focused private equity fund.

Other investors in the round include the Vumela Enterprise Development Fund, which focuses on fostering growth in black-owned SMEs.

The funding will be used to expand Rentoza’s product offering, grow its team, and enter new markets. The company plans to launch in Nigeria and Ghana in the coming months.

Rentoza is a disruptive force in the African e-commerce market. The company’s subscription service makes it easier and more affordable for Africans to access the latest products. This is especially important for women, who are often excluded from traditional lending channels.

“Our growth initiatives and expansion plans will drive transformative change in the South African economy and beyond, creating accessible and flexible shopping experiences for consumers across the continent. Real access is finally coming to the continent,” Aviraag Ramdhani, Co-Founder at Rentoza said.

With this funding, Rentoza is well-positioned to become a major player in the African e-commerce market.

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) Announces $19.5 Million Investment in African Climate Projects

New Investments

FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) Announces $19.5 Million Investment in African Climate Projects

FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi), the investment arm of FSD Africa, has made a significant financial commitment of $19.5 million towards climate adaptation and climate-aligned infrastructure projects across Africa.
 
 
 

This announcement marks a significant stride towards bolstering the continent’s resilience against climate change while supporting innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable development.

Strategic Investments to Foster Sustainability

FSDAi’s investments in Acre Impact Capital’s Export Finance Fund I, Catalyst Fund, and Camco’s Spark Energy Services reflect their strategic approach to collaborate with local asset managers and venture builders.

The primary objective is to inject much-needed funding into climate-smart projects that often struggle to secure financial backing.

Breaking Down the Investment:

$12 Million in Acre Impact Capital’s Export Finance Fund I

This fund addresses the challenge of obtaining commercial debt financing for sustainable infrastructure projects backed by official Export Credit Agencies (ECAs).

FSDAi’s investment is expected to facilitate the flow of ECA finance for social and green infrastructure, ultimately unlocking $67 million in funding.

This initiative is projected to improve access to essential services for over 500,000 people and create more than 2,000 jobs.

$4.5 Million in Catalyst Fund

The Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed venture capital fund and accelerator focused on tech start-ups dedicated to enhancing climate resilience in Africa.

The investment aims to demonstrate the viability of venture building as a model to accelerate the growth of climate-smart businesses in Africa, with a target of creating or advancing 40 such businesses and assisting 5 million individuals and households in adapting to climate change.

$3 Million in Spark Energy Services (Spark)

Managed by climate and impact fund manager Camco, Spark Energy Services seeks to provide financing to captive solar and energy efficiency developers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This platform aims to address the financing challenges faced by smaller-scale projects by aggregating them to reduce transaction costs and diversify risk.

FSDAi’s investment in Spark is set to support a just transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 0.61 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), creating 1,400 jobs, and providing affordable, reliable, and clean power to commercial and industrial SMEs.

FSDAi’s Unique Approach

FSDAi specializes in investments that support innovative financial instruments, facilities, and intermediaries, accelerating finance’s role in Africa’s green economic growth.

It is funded through UK International Development from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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Nigeria’s AltSchool Africa Launches New Schools to Upskill Africans “For the Jobs of the Future”

Key Developments

Nigeria's AltSchool Africa Launches New Schools to Upskill Africans "For the Jobs of the Future"

AltSchool Africa, a leading provider of creative and business education in Africa, has launched two new schools in Lagos and Abuja.
 
 
 

The schools will offer courses in various fields, including design, coding, entrepreneurship, and marketing.

AltSchool Africa was founded in 2018 by two Nigerian entrepreneurs with the mission to “upskill Africans for the jobs of the future.”

The new schools will be located in Lagos and Abuja, two of Nigeria’s most populous cities. The schools will have state-of-the-art facilities and will be staffed by experienced faculty.

AltSchool Africa is targeting students interested in pursuing careers in the creative and business industries. The company believes that these industries are growing rapidly in Africa and that there is a high demand for skilled workers.

In addition to the new schools, AltSchool Africa is also launching several new initiatives, including a scholarship program for students from low-income families and a startup accelerator program for aspiring entrepreneurs.

About AltSchool Africa

AltSchool Africa offers courses in a variety of fields, including design, coding, entrepreneurship, and marketing.

The tech startup is committed to providing high-quality education and training to Africans who are interested in pursuing careers in the creative and business industries.

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Egyptian Health Insurance Startup Sehatech Raises $850k to Digitize Healthcare

New Investments

Egyptian Health Insurance Startup Sehatech Raises $850k to Digitize Healthcare

Sehatech, an Egyptian health insurance startup that uses technology to automate medical approvals, claims processing, and billing, has raised $850k in funding.
 
 
 

The round was led by A15 and Beltone Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Beltone Holding Company.

Sehatech was founded in 2022.

The startup’s platform aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of the healthcare insurance industry by digitizing the entire claims process.

This can save insurers time and money, and it can also help to prevent fraudulent claims.

The startup’s latest round of funding will be used to grow Sehatech’s team and expand its product offerings.

The startup plans to launch new features that will allow insurers to better manage their relationships with healthcare providers. Sehatech also plans to expand into new markets in the Middle East and Africa.

The investment in Sehatech is a sign of the growing interest in health-tech startups in Africa.

The continent’s healthcare system is facing a number of challenges, including a lack of access to quality care, high costs, and fraud.

Healthtech startups are using technology to address these challenges, and they are attracting increasing investment from both local and international investors.

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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Olatomiwa Williams

Olatomiwa Williams

Olatomiwa Williams is a trailblazing leader in the IT industry

She is the Country Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana and has over 20 years of experience in the field.

She is an expert in cloud computing and digital transformation and is passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and empower people and businesses.

Olatomiwa is also a strong advocate for women in technology and a mentor to many young women.

Her contribution to Africa’s technology landscape has earned her several accolades, including the Microsoft Gold Star Award for Excellence and the Techpoint Africa Top 50 Women in Tech Award.

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Charlette N’Guessan

Charlette N’Guessan is an Ivorian software engineer and tech entrepreneur breaking barriers with her innovative AI-powered identity verification solutions.

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UAE Pledges $4.5 Billion to Help Africa Transition to Clean Energy

Key Developments

UAE Pledges $4.5 Billion to Help Africa Transition to Clean Energy

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged $4.5 billion to help African countries transition to clean energy.
 
 

The announcement was made by the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei, at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

The investment will support a wide range of clean energy projects in Africa, including solar, wind, and hydropower.

It will also be used to develop energy storage technologies and promote energy efficiency measures.

The UAE’s investment is a significant boost for Africa’s clean energy sector.

The continent is home to some of the world’s best solar and wind resources, but it has struggled to develop these resources due to a lack of funding.

The UAE’s investment will help to unlock Africa’s clean energy potential and contribute to the continent’s efforts to combat climate change.

The UAE is not the only country that is investing in clean energy in Africa. Other countries, such as the United States, China, and the European Union, have also pledged billions of dollars to support Africa’s clean energy transition. This growing investment is a sign of the increasing importance of clean energy in Africa and the world.

The UAE’s investment also reflects the country’s commitment to clean energy. The UAE has set a goal of generating 44% of its electricity from
clean sources by 2050.

The country has already made significant progress towards this goal, and the investment in Africa will help to accelerate the transition to clean energy.

In addition to the $4.5 billion investment, the UAE also announced at the Africa Climate Summit that it would join the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI).

The ACMI platform aims to create a market for carbon credits in Africa. The UAE’s participation in the ACMI will help to support the development of carbon markets in Africa and help the continent meet its climate goals.

The UAE’s commitment to clean energy in Africa is a significant step forward for the continent.

The investment will help to accelerate Africa’s transition to clean energy and contribute to the fight against climate change. It is also a sign of the UAE’s growing leadership on climate change issues.

The UAE’s investment in clean energy in Africa is a positive development for the continent and the world. It is a sign of the UAE’s commitment to clean energy and its willingness to play a leading role in the fight against climate change.

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Okra Secures $12 Million Series A to Power Mesh-Grid Electrification in Africa

New Investments

Okra Secures $12 Million Series A to Power Mesh-Grid Electrification in Africa

Okra, a solar technology company bringing solar power to grids in developing areas, has raised $12 million in Series A funding.
 
 
 

The round was led by One Ventures, with participation from FMO, Susquehanna Private Equity Investments LLP, Autodesk Foundation and King Philanthropies.

Okra’s technology uses a mesh-based solar solution that re-apports excess energy based on proximity.

This means that rather than redirecting energy flow to a centralized area, it prioritizes neighboring homes. This helps increase efficiency while decreasing costs, which are especially important in developing markets.

The company plans to use the funding to expand its operations in India and Africa. It also plans to develop new products and services that will help to make solar power more affordable and accessible to people in developing areas.

Okra’s technology has the potential to make a significant impact on the global energy landscape.

The funding from One Ventures and other investors will help Okra to scale its operations and reach more people with solar power.

With this new funding, Okra is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the global energy landscape.

The company is poised to bring solar power to millions of people who currently lack access to electricity, and it is helping to make the future of energy clean and decentralized.

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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Nigerian Startup Itana to Create Africa’s First Digital Free Zone Following $2M Pre-Seed Funding

Key Developments

Nigerian Startup Itana to Create Africa's First Digital Free Zone Following $2M Pre-Seed Funding

Itana, a Nigerian startup that is building Africa’s first Digital Free Zone, has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding.
 
 

The round was led by global venture capitalists LocalGlobe, Amplo, Pronomos Capital, and Future Africa.

Itana’s Digital Free Zone will be a physical and virtual space that will offer businesses a range of benefits, including:

  • A stable policy environment
  • Tax and capital repatriation incentives
  • The freedom to operate remotely
  • Access to a global network of talent and investors

The funding will be used to develop the Itana Digital Free Zone, as well as to grow the company’s team and launch its digital residency program.

The startup is on a mission to empower entrepreneurs to establish a highly esteemed business within Nigeria’s inaugural digital-free zone.

“Within the Itana digital free zone, startups will have the benefit of a stable policy environment, tax and capital repatriation incentives and the freedom to operate remotely without the need for an expansive physical presence within the free zone. I’m looking forward to the global businesses from Nigeria that will emerge from this,” founding investor Iyinoluwa Aboyeji was quoted as saying.

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