M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.
Mawingu uses high-performance low-cost wireless technology and solar power to build fast internet networks in rural areas. Customers use Wi-Fi to connect.
Mawingu’s unique application of open technologies enables a world-class scalable network, with open and secure roaming in a highly challenging geographical environment
Equity Bank Kenya is a financial services provider headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It is licensed as a commercial bank by the central bank of Kenya, the central bank, and national banking regulator. Equity Bank Kenya Limited was incorporated in 2014 as a result of the corporate restructure of Equity Group Holdings Limited.
d.light is a company that designs, manufactures, and distributes solar lighting and power products, primarily aimed at households and small businesses lacking reliable electricity. Founded in 2007 as a for-profit social enterprise, d.light has developed a range of products, including solar lanterns, home systems, and various appliances, to serve over 2 billion people globally. With distribution hubs in East and West Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States, the company has reached over 65 million individuals, providing affordable and accessible solar solutions. d.light is committed to transforming energy usage and payment methods, enhancing the quality of life for users in rural and semi-urban areas through its innovative solar-powered products. The company operates from its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in key locations such as Shenzhen, China; Gurgaon, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Lagos, Nigeria.
Zola Electric provides off-grid solar solutions primarily for African markets, focusing on Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. The company offers solar home kits that can be either leased or purchased, utilizing a pay-as-you-go micro-finance model that accommodates various income levels. By employing advanced solar, battery, and power electronics technology, Zola Electric delivers renewable energy systems tailored to the needs of individual households and businesses in rural communities. Since its inception in 2012, the company has powered over 180,000 homes and businesses. Formerly known as Off-Grid Electric Tanzania Limited, it rebranded to Zola Electric in July 2018 and has established its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, with an additional office in San Francisco, California. The company has garnered recognition through various awards and has attracted investment from notable firms, including Tesla and EDF.
M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.
Nomanini SA (Pty) Ltd operates a platform that facilitates the sale of prepaid products, such as airtime, electricity, and insurance, primarily targeting informal markets. Founded in 2010 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, the company provides terminals used by informal retailers, such as street vendors and share-taxi drivers, to sell prepaid vouchers and generate ongoing profits. Nomanini's platform connects merchants, distributors, and service providers through an interoperable merchant wallet, enabling efficient transactions and data collection. This data offers insights for loans and savings accumulation, ultimately enhancing profitability for all participants in the informal retail ecosystem. By integrating payments, working capital, and data analytics, Nomanini transforms any mobile device into a retail point-of-sale system, improving the accessibility of digital finance for informal merchants and their customers.
Aerobotics (Pty.) Ltd., founded in 2014 and located in Cape Town, South Africa, specializes in developing autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and data processing solutions for various industries, including agriculture, surveying, gaming, and security. The company utilizes aerial imagery and machine learning algorithms to provide precision agriculture solutions, enabling farmers to optimize crop management through detailed analysis and insights. Aerobotics combines its drone technology with a flight planning application to enhance data collection and processing, thereby supporting clients in making informed decisions based on accurate and timely information.
Komaza is a tech-driven sustainable forestry company revolutionizing the wood industry in Africa with its farmer platform. It combines technology, training, and service to create a new sustainable wood supply for Africa at an 80% cost disruption over traditional plantations. The company was founded in 2006 by Tevis Howard.
ASOBO is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2019 that focuses on manufacturing electric outboard engines, known as e-Boarders, powered by lithium batteries. These engines are specifically designed for fishermen operating on Lake Victoria in East Africa. ASOBO aims to create a sustainable platform for e-mobility on the water by providing electric outboard engines powered by renewable energy. The company offers its products on a full-service basis, enabling fishermen to utilize clean energy while reducing operational costs. Through its innovative solutions, ASOBO contributes to environmentally friendly practices in the fishing industry.
Yalelo is a pioneer of aquaculture in Zambia, bringing together local resources and world-leading practices. We implement a scalable solution to ease the pressure on Zambia’s struggling wild-capture fisheries sector. Founded in 2011, we have grown quickly to become the leading fisheries firm in Zambia and among the largest aquaculture firms in Africa. We breed and grow our tilapia on the shores of Lake Kariba and sell our product fresh nation-wide. Our pristine water, locally produced non-GMO fish feed and a robust cold-chain results in a product quality and affordability that is transforming the customer experience.
d.light is a company that designs, manufactures, and distributes solar lighting and power products, primarily aimed at households and small businesses lacking reliable electricity. Founded in 2007 as a for-profit social enterprise, d.light has developed a range of products, including solar lanterns, home systems, and various appliances, to serve over 2 billion people globally. With distribution hubs in East and West Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States, the company has reached over 65 million individuals, providing affordable and accessible solar solutions. d.light is committed to transforming energy usage and payment methods, enhancing the quality of life for users in rural and semi-urban areas through its innovative solar-powered products. The company operates from its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in key locations such as Shenzhen, China; Gurgaon, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Lagos, Nigeria.
Zola Electric provides off-grid solar solutions primarily for African markets, focusing on Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. The company offers solar home kits that can be either leased or purchased, utilizing a pay-as-you-go micro-finance model that accommodates various income levels. By employing advanced solar, battery, and power electronics technology, Zola Electric delivers renewable energy systems tailored to the needs of individual households and businesses in rural communities. Since its inception in 2012, the company has powered over 180,000 homes and businesses. Formerly known as Off-Grid Electric Tanzania Limited, it rebranded to Zola Electric in July 2018 and has established its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, with an additional office in San Francisco, California. The company has garnered recognition through various awards and has attracted investment from notable firms, including Tesla and EDF.
Yoco Technologies Proprietary Limited, known as Yoco, is a South African company based in Cape Town that specializes in providing tools and services for small businesses to facilitate payments and enhance operational efficiency. Established in 2015, Yoco offers a range of products including mobile card machines, payment gateways, point of sale systems, and a business portal, enabling merchants to accept payments in-store, online, and on-the-go. The company aims to simplify the payment process for both buyers and sellers, reducing the complexities associated with managing multiple systems. Yoco currently supports around 100,000 small businesses in South Africa and has been recognized as one of the top 250 most promising fintech companies in recent years.
Kingo Energy, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Guatemala City, Guatemala, specializes in manufacturing solar energy systems aimed at providing reliable electricity to underserved rural communities. The company's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals living without access to a dependable power grid, particularly in regions facing extreme poverty. Kingo offers a prepaid solar energy service that is more affordable than traditional lighting methods, such as candles and kerosene. Their solar energy kits can power essential household items, including light bulbs and mobile phone chargers, with payment options tailored to customers' budgets. Kingo has already benefited over 100,000 people, with significant reported improvements in cost savings, educational performance, and productivity among users. The company operates in Central America and South Africa, with ambitions to expand its reach to over 3 million individuals by 2020. Kingo's executive team comprises experienced professionals from various sectors, including consumer markets, telecommunications, and energy.
Lendable, Inc. is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2014. The company specializes in providing risk analytics for lenders and originators of debt in developing markets. Lendable offers a comprehensive database that includes market repayment, demographic, and contextual data, which aids in improving and validating credit models. Additionally, it features a risk engine designed to assess individual credit risk as well as portfolio and group-level risk. Lendable focuses on offering debt financing to fintech companies in emerging and frontier markets, aiming to promote impact investing as a viable asset class. Through its technology and financial products, the company seeks to facilitate access to finance for a significant number of underserved borrowers.
Apollo Agriculture, founded in 2015 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, focuses on providing financial and technical support to smallholder farmers in emerging markets. The company offers farming loans to help farmers purchase essential inputs such as fertilizer, seeds, and crop insurance, along with access to expert consultations via mobile technology. By utilizing agronomic machine learning and remote sensing, Apollo tailors its services to individual farmers, assessing credit risk and customizing packages based on satellite and soil data, as well as crop yield models. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of farming practices but also aims to significantly increase yields and profits for farmers.
Orb Energy Private Limited, established in 2006 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, specializes in designing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, installing, and servicing solar photovoltaic and solar water heating systems. The company caters to residential and commercial clients, offering a range of products including polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels, solar inverters, solar street lights, solar rooftops, solar power plants, solar water pumping systems, and heat pumps. Orb Energy also operates a franchise model to expand its reach, leveraging a robust retail distribution network with 90 branches currently in operation. The company aims to provide affordable renewable energy solutions, particularly for off-grid households, with plans to double its branch network and workforce in the coming years to enhance accessibility for low-income customers. Additionally, Orb has expanded its operations to Kenya, furthering its mission to deliver sustainable energy solutions.
M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.
Kingo Energy, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Guatemala City, Guatemala, specializes in manufacturing solar energy systems aimed at providing reliable electricity to underserved rural communities. The company's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals living without access to a dependable power grid, particularly in regions facing extreme poverty. Kingo offers a prepaid solar energy service that is more affordable than traditional lighting methods, such as candles and kerosene. Their solar energy kits can power essential household items, including light bulbs and mobile phone chargers, with payment options tailored to customers' budgets. Kingo has already benefited over 100,000 people, with significant reported improvements in cost savings, educational performance, and productivity among users. The company operates in Central America and South Africa, with ambitions to expand its reach to over 3 million individuals by 2020. Kingo's executive team comprises experienced professionals from various sectors, including consumer markets, telecommunications, and energy.
Mobisol GmbH, founded in 2010 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in developing and installing solar home systems to provide electricity to underserved low-income customers in developing nations. The company offers solutions that power LED lights, radios, mobile phones, and various household appliances, while also promoting productive use appliances. Mobisol's innovative approach combines solar energy with an affordable mobile payment plan, making it accessible for those living without electricity. The company emphasizes comprehensive customer service and utilizes remote monitoring technology to ensure reliable performance. With additional offices in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya, Mobisol operates as a subsidiary of ENGIE SA, focusing on delivering clean and affordable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.
Kingo Energy, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Guatemala City, Guatemala, specializes in manufacturing solar energy systems aimed at providing reliable electricity to underserved rural communities. The company's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals living without access to a dependable power grid, particularly in regions facing extreme poverty. Kingo offers a prepaid solar energy service that is more affordable than traditional lighting methods, such as candles and kerosene. Their solar energy kits can power essential household items, including light bulbs and mobile phone chargers, with payment options tailored to customers' budgets. Kingo has already benefited over 100,000 people, with significant reported improvements in cost savings, educational performance, and productivity among users. The company operates in Central America and South Africa, with ambitions to expand its reach to over 3 million individuals by 2020. Kingo's executive team comprises experienced professionals from various sectors, including consumer markets, telecommunications, and energy.
Private Equity Round in 2010
Family Bank is a fully-fledged commercial bank since May 2007. The Bank is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and is a member of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Bank is growing with over 1.7 million customers and a network of 93 branches countrywide. It was the first Bank in Kenya to introduce paperless banking through smart card technology.