- Investment targets Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Project will deliver 2.1 million new electricity connections across underserved and refugee hosting communities.
- Expansion builds on 24 operating mini grids already deployed in Kenya and Nigeria.
USA based Renewvia Energy Corp is advancing a US$750 million investment programme to accelerate the rollout of solar mini grids across Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of a major push to expand decentralised electricity access in underserved markets.
The announcement was made by chief executive officer Trey Jarrard, who confirmed that the initiative is designed to scale locally managed power networks supported by battery storage systems, with a target of reaching 2.1 million customers. The programme is expected to serve households, small businesses, schools and health facilities, while also strengthening energy supply in major refugee hosting settlements where grid infrastructure remains limited or absent.
The investment represents one of the company’s most significant regional expansions to date and reflects growing investor interest in distributed renewable energy solutions as a practical alternative to centralised grid extension in remote and high demand rural areas.
Renewvia Energy’s strategy builds on an established operational base across East and West Africa. The company currently operates 24 commercial mini grids in Kenya and Nigeria, which have been used as proof of concept for its broader deployment model. Existing customers include Shell, United Bank for Africa and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, highlighting a mix of private sector and humanitarian energy demand.
According to performance data from earlier deployments in Kenya, communities connected to Renewvia Energy systems recorded a fourfold increase in median household incomes following electrification. The introduction of reliable electricity has also supported the installation of essential infrastructure such as water pumping systems, enabling improved access to clean water and more resilient local economies.
The latest expansion positions Renewvia Energy to play a larger role in addressing Africa’s persistent energy access gap through scalable, renewable and decentralised power solutions tailored to off grid and weak grid environments.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
