Grid Africa has secured a significant equity investment of $2.8 million from Rifuwo Energy Partners to accelerate its renewable energy projects across South Africa.
This strategic move comes at a time when the country is grappling with rising energy costs and an ongoing electricity crisis, exacerbated by Eskom’s proposed tariff increases, which could rise by up to 43.55% by mid-2025.
In April 2024, Eskom already implemented a 13% price hike, further escalating the pressure on both businesses and consumers.
To combat these rising costs, Grid Africa plans to develop solar energy solutions aimed at reducing dependency on the national grid.
According to Norman Moyo, CEO of Grid Africa, the current energy landscape presents a unique opportunity for businesses to adopt solar energy projects as a cost-saving measure.
“Recent changes in energy security in South Africa present a unique opportunity for businesses to deploy more solar energy projects, providing a buffer against escalating energy prices,” Moyo stated.
He also noted that with the declining costs of solar technology and lithium batteries, Grid Africa can offer more energy-efficient solutions, including peak shaving, which allows clients to avoid costly peak charges.
Founded in 2015, Grid Africa has played a key role in advancing renewable energy solutions across the continent.
The company has successfully developed hybrid energy projects in countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Ivory Coast, showcasing its ability to operate in challenging environments.
Recently, it expanded into Zambia, a country facing frequent power outages, further emphasizing its commitment to providing reliable energy solutions across the region.
“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.
Summit Africa, a South African fund manager, has launched its second private equity fund, Summit Private Equity Fund II (SPEF II), with an initial $20 million anchor investment from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor.
Twelve African entrepreneurs were celebrated for their innovative solutions to poverty during the inaugural FINCA Ventures Prize Competition.
COTU Ventures, a Dubai-based early-stage venture capital (VC) firm, has secured $54 million for its first fund dedicated to backing promising startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
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