Stichting Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa (CEI Africa), through its Crowdlending Window, has signed a USD 4.475 million senior secured loan agreement with Renewvia Energy Kenya Ltd. (Renewvia) and its project implementation vehicle, Renewvia Kakuma Ltd., to scale up solar mini-grid operations in Turkana County, Kenya—specifically serving the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Settlement. This financing will support the development of clean energy infrastructure, providing electricity to approximately 15,600 new connections in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions.
The financing package comprises of a total USD 4.475 million senior secured loans. Additionally, CEI Africa has awarded up to USD 4.2 million in results-based financing (RBF) grant funding, with USD 1.26 million structured as a forgivable loan. The remaining grant funds will be disbursed upon verification of new electricity connections.
With this financing, Renewvia will expand its existing 541kW solar power plant to a 2.4MW solar PV plant with 5 MWh of battery storage. Making it what is expected to be the largest solar mini-grid in East Africa. Upon completion, the project will serve a total of 18,600 customers, including both refugees and members of the host community.
Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement are home to over 270,000 people, making them some of the largest refugee settlements in the world. Reliable electricity will provide essential support for households, small businesses, banks, telecom towers, carpentry workshops, clinics, hotels, and retail shops, driving economic growth in the region.
The economic potential of this electrification effort is substantial. The market size (household and business spending) in Kakuma is conservatively estimated at USD 56 million annually, indicating a strong demand for electricity among residents and businesses. The project will offer a cleaner and more reliable alternative to existing energy sources, improving air quality and lowering carbon emissions while offering 24/7 reliable electricity with its 5 MWh battery storage.
“Today marks an exciting milestone as we sign a new investment with Renewvia that showcases CEI Africa’s commitment to a holistic, one-stop-shop approach for green mini-grid operators,” said Claudia Vroom, Member of the Executive Board of CEI Africa. “By combining grants, technical assistance, and investments via crowdlending, we are fostering sustainable business models which unlock the participation of private capital and contribute to reaching SDG7—clean energy access for all. This partnership demonstrates our dedication to supporting visionary projects every step of the way.”
CEI Africa, established by KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is dedicated to improving access to clean energy for rural and peri-urban households and enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa. CEI Africa offers a range of financing instruments, including results-based financing grants, forgivable loans, and senior debt facilities to support mini-grid developers in expanding their reach.
About Renewvia Energy Kenya Ltd
Renewvia Energy Kenya Ltd, a subsidiary of Renewvia Energy Corporation USA, specializes in the development, construction, and operation of green mini-grids. Established in 2015, Renewvia Kenya integrates solar energy generation with battery storage to provide reliable, on-demand electricity. Renewvia has deployed 24 GMGs across Africa, including 16 in Kenya and 8 in Nigeria. The company is committed to expanding access to clean energy for off-grid communities, fostering economic growth and sustainability in underserved regions.
CEI Africa was established by the German development finance institution KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2021 to improve access to energy for rural and peri-urban households and enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022 the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) joined as a contributor to CEI Africa. CEI Africa is managed by Triple Jump and implemented together with partners Persistent and GreenMax Capital Group. CEI Africa works with financers, off-grid solar and mini-grid experts, to develop investment solutions that bridge the financing gap in the most challenging access to energy sub-sectors.
For more information, visit www.cei-africa.com or contact info@cei-africa.com.
