Sawa Energy, a solar electricity solution powering Rwandan businesses with clean and renewable energy has received new funding from Renew Capital to provide critical power for small and medium businesses.
With operations in Rwanda and Uganda, Sawa Energy eliminates upfront costs, making solar and energy-effcient solutions more accessible and affordable.
“Our passion at Sawa Energy is to create a business that delivers on three critical fronts — building partnerships with East African companies, reducing emissions, and providing robust returns to our investors,” said Samuel Kaufman, Chief Executive Offcer and co-founder of Sawa Energy as he emphasized the company’s broader impact goals. “We strongly believe in creating a sustainable model that benefts all stakeholders.”
Established in 2021, Sawa Energy’s mission extends beyond energy provision. It focuses on constructing, owning and operating solar systems for clients, enabling signifcant savings and reducing electricity pricing volatility. The company aims to become the largest private provider of solar power in East Africa by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to building a greener and more sustainable future.
Renew Energy didn’t not mention the amount it invested into Sawa Energy but through it’s Renew Venture Lab Fund 1 it has also invested in Opareta, a Ugandan mobile money startup; Mpost, a Kenyan postal services startup now live in Rwanda; Octavia Carbon, a carbon capture and sustainability efforts startup; Scale, making strides in procurement; Bosso, addressing the critical need for affordable housing in Zambia through its online marketplace for building materials and financing solutions; Tappi, a Kenyan innovation enabling SMEs to rapidly establish their online presence and access digital advertising; Kenyan BNPL fintech startup FlexPay and Level Africa, a regulated fintech innovator streamlining the investment process.
Recently it launched Renew Venture Lab Fund 2 (RVL2). This fund is designed to invest in up to 50 tech startups across Africa, offering training and support to founders and their teams. The most successful companies in RVL2 will be eligible for larger investments from Renew Capital Fund 1, the firm’s growth-stage investment fund.
Sawa Energy sets itself apart by removing the financial and operational risks to going solar. They offer local business integrated energy solutions with no upfront cost, and no operation and maintenance fees, ensuring that their customers have a seamless and worry-free transition to cleaner and more affordable energy.
