Investors expressed great interest in Africa’s energy startup sector in 2025.

Companies developing renewable energy solutions, off-grid technologies, and sustainable energy access received considerable funding.

According to Nairametrics Research, these startups have received attention for their innovative solutions to Africa’s ongoing energy challenges, particularly in underserved areas with inadequate access to reliable electricity.

The top ten energy startups have received multimillion-dollar investments, suggesting growing trust in their product and impact.

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The funds are designed to help businesses scale their operations, expand their market reach, and accelerate the continent’s transition to renewable energy.

Most of the money raised came in the form of debt rather than equity, meaning investors are lending capital instead of taking ownership stakes in these companies.

These startups operate across different segments of the energy value chain, which includes off-grid solar power, hybrid solar-battery systems, clean cooking solutions, energy storage, and decentralized mini-grid infrastructure, each addressing distinct aspects of Africa’s energy access challenge.

What the data is saying 

The top ten energy startups raised $787.3 million in 2025, representing 91.88% of the $856.85 million total secured by 52 energy-focused companies. This highlights the strong investor preference for a small group of leading firms.

  • The top three startups raised a combined $586 million, accounting for about 74% of the total funding secured by the top ten.
  • The remaining 8.12% of the funds were awarded to 42 startups, demonstrating that, while the market is competitive, the majority of the investment is being secured by existing businesses.
  • Because the data represents 52 energy-focused startups in the market, funding is becoming more concentrated in companies that are driving innovation and providing scalable, effective solutions to energy access and sustainability.
  • Three of the 52 startups have undisclosed funding amounts, which limits full transparency and may affect the accuracy of the remaining funding breakdown.
  • Four out of these ten startups that received the most funding are from Kenya and accounts for over 81% of the top 10 funding.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 startups:

Koolboks (Nigeria) — $11.2 million  

The firm received $0.2 million in July and a further $11 million in August 2025, bringing the total to $11.2 million. Koolboks specializes in providing solar-powered refrigerator solutions to off-grid areas, particularly those in rural Nigeria.

This funding will allow the company to expand its operations and provide sustainable refrigeration to underserved communities.

  • Deal Types: Series A and Grant
  • Investor(s): KawiSafi Ventures, Aruwa Capital, All On, Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), Bpifrance, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities (PREO), Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, Innovate UK, Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA), Foundation for Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa (CEI Africa), and the Shell Foundation.

Arnergy (Nigeria) – $15 million  

The company raised $15 million in April 2025. Arnergy’s focus on solar power and energy storage solutions has made it a market leader in Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector.

The additional cash will allow Arnergy to expand its solar installations and energy storage devices to other places, minimizing reliance on national power infrastructures.

  • Deal type: Series B
  • Investor(s): CardinalStone Capital Advisers (CCA), Breakthrough Energy Ventures, British International Investment (formerly CDC), Norfund, EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC), and All On.

Mopo (Nigeria) – $15 million  

Mopo raised $7 million in January 2025, $1.3 million in July 2025, and $6.7 million in September 2025, for a total of $15 million. However, it raised funding in June that was undisclosed.

Mopo focuses on energy storage and distribution, providing solutions to Nigeria’s energy supply issues. The loan will allow Mopo to increase electricity access and reliability in local communities.

  • Deal Types: Debt and Grant.
  • Investor(s): British International Investment (formerly CDC), Norfund, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

SolarX (Mali) — $17.3 million

The firm received $17.3 million in November 2025. SolarX is one of Mali’s leading providers of off-grid solar energy. With this funding, the company intends to expand its solar systems and reach more rural communities, providing low-cost and sustainable energy solutions to areas with limited or no access to electricity.

  • Deal type: Debt.
  • Investor(s): Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund.

Wetility (South Africa) – $27.8 million  

The company raised $27.8 million in June 2025. Wetility has gotten a lot of attention from investors for its hybrid energy solutions, which combine solar with energy storage to improve resilience in South Africa’s energy system. This funding round will enable Wetility to expand and develop integrated solar solutions.

  • Deal Type: Venture Round.
  • Investor(s): Jaltech.

PowerGen (Kenya), $55 million

The firm received $55 million in January 2025. PowerGen’s commitment to decentralized energy solutions in East Africa has resulted in considerable investments.

With this support, PowerGen will be able to extend its sustainable energy services in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with a particular emphasis on solar and hybrid systems to boost electricity access in rural areas.

  • Deal Type: Venture Round.
  • Investor(s): Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), EDFI ElectriFi, and Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA).

SolarSaver (South Africa) – $60 million 

The company raised $60 million in November 2025. SolarSaver provides low-cost solar solutions to South African homeowners and small businesses. This new funding will allow SolarSaver to expand its operations and meet the growing demand for renewable energy solutions around the country.

  • Deal Type: Venture Round.
  • Investor(s): Inspired Evolution, FMO, and Swedfund.

Burn (Kenya) – $90 million

Burn raised $5 million in May 2025, $80 million in June 2025, and $5 million in July 2025, totalling $90 million. Burn is a pioneer in providing clean cooking solutions, particularly in rural areas where traditional cooking methods pose health and environmental hazards. With this substantial funding, Burn plans to expand its clean cookstove alternatives and serve more East African households.

  • Deal type: Debt.
  • Investor(s): Trade and Development Bank (TDB), World Bank Group, EDFI ElectiFi, and the African Development Bank.

Sun King (Greenlight Planet) (Kenya); $196 million

Sun King received $156 million in July 2025, and an additional $40 million in December 2025, for a total of $196 million. Sun King is Africa’s top provider of off-grid solar energy solutions, offering low-cost solar products to off-grid homeowners.

The funds would enable Sun King to expand its product offerings and reach millions of customers in Kenya and other African countries.

  • Deal type: Debt.
  • Investor(s): KCB Bank Group, Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Absa Bank Kenya, British International Investment (formerly CDC), Norfund, FMO, and LightRock.

D.light (Kenya)—$300 million  

The firm received $300 million in July 2025. d.light continues to lead the renewable energy startup business, closing the largest single transaction in 2025.

This money will help d.light develop its solar energy solutions, allowing the company to serve additional off-grid regions and bring affordable solar power to millions more Africans.

  • Deal Type: Debt.
  • Investor(s): Mirova