Powering Clean Energy Investment
Boosting the growth of inclusive Global South enterprises
Ashden’s Powering Clean Energy Investment programme catalyses the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Global South. This brings the benefits of energy access – from stronger local economies to better health, education and resilience – to more of the world’s most marginalised people.
Local enterprises are well-placed to deliver these benefits but often struggle to attract finance in the amounts and terms they require. By helping organisations attract the finance they need, Powering Clean Energy Investment empowers high-potential innovators to scale up and achieve maximum impact as fast as possible.
Our unrestricted development grants, technical assistance and strategic communications support are all geared to making recipients a more attractive and secure investment prospect.
Our portfolio of innovators
An integrated engineering company providing reliable, cost-effective clean energy solutions in Nigeria.
Powering the rise of electric mobility for mass urban transport in Uganda, through vehicle assembly and repair, battery charging, training and more.
Helping rural communities in Southern Africa get on the move with electric tricycles.
Empowering refugee women in Uganda, through microfinance to launch clean energy businesses and other ventures.
Manufacturing high-quality clean energy products in Nigeria, with affordable finance that helps more consumers enjoy modern technology.
Solar Freeze
Solar powered refrigeration and connectivity infrastructure for underserved markets in Kenya.
AceleAfrica
Scalable battery recycling and manufacturing for Africa’s energy transition
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Africa’s energy transition depends not only on generating clean power, but on storing it reliably and affordably. Across the continent, more than 600 million people lack dependable electricity and millions more face frequent outages. As solar and distributed energy systems expand, demand for battery storage is rising rapidly, particularly in mini grids, commercial facilities and residential markets.
AceleAfrica is a Kenya based battery manufacturer building the local capacity to meet that demand. The company assembles lithium battery systems in Kenya for mini grids, commercial and industrial users, residential customers and emerging e mobility applications. By assembling battery packs locally, rather than importing finished systems, AceleAfrica reduces lead times, strengthens after-sales support and builds regional technical expertise.
Alongside first life battery manufacturing, the company tests, refurbishes and repurposes used battery cells into second life storage systems for less intensive applications. This approach lowers costs for customers, extends battery lifespan and reduces environmental waste at a time when end of life solar and EV batteries are increasing across the region.
AceleAfrica’s compression assembly technology also enables faster production and repairable battery design, allowing systems to be maintained, upgraded and recycled rather than discarded. The company provides strong warranty terms and local servicing, addressing a key gap in markets where imported batteries often lack reliable long term support.
EcoBora
Solar electric kitchens for climate smart schools
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Across Africa, an estimated 7.5 million metric tonnes of firewood are burned each year to prepare meals for students. Cooking with wood costs schools between USD 10,000 and 30,000 per year and can generate up to 700 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per school annually, while accelerating deforestation.
EcoBora replaces firewood kitchens with solar powered electric cooking systems built specifically for institutional use. The company installs solar arrays, lithium battery storage and high capacity electric boilers capable of preparing staple foods such as ugali, rice and githeri at scale. Systems range from 50 to 650 litres in capacity, with power ratings up to 14 kW, ensuring reliability for daily meal preparation.
The cooking stoves are locally manufactured in Kenya. EcoBora’s patented technology integrates smart meters that monitor energy consumption and carbon emission reductions in real time, creating transparent data for performance tracking and potential climate finance alignment.
Rural and marginalised schools using EcoBora systems have reduced cooking costs by up to 80 percent, enabling some to offer free school meals while eliminating firewood use. Schools improve air quality and kitchen safety, cut operating costs and significantly reduce emissions. EcoBora offers a practical infrastructure model with clear cost savings, measurable climate impact and strong potential for scale as governments and partners expand school feeding programmes.
Baridi
Scalable solar cold storage for growing food markets
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Across East Africa, smallholder farmers and dairy cooperatives face a critical gap in cold storage. Conventional systems often cost more than USD 30,000 per unit, placing them beyond reach for many rural producers. As a result, farmers typically allocate just 1.5 to 2.5 percent of produce value toward cooling, leading to spoilage, income loss and reduced market access.
Baridi addresses this challenge with solar powered cold rooms and bulk milk coolers built for farm gate aggregation and cooperative scale use. Its modular systems range from 5 to 100 metric tonnes, and can be containerised or assembled on site. The company’s solar bulk milk coolers can chill milk from 35°C to 4°C in under two hours and provide one full day of cooling autonomy during grid outages, eliminating the need for diesel backup
Baridi operates through a direct sale model, supported by bulk import efficiencies and an in house installation team that has reduced equipment costs by more than 14 percent and shortened implementation timelines significantly. In 2024, the company installed 12 solar cold rooms with 28 metric tons of storage capacity, and preserving over 1.5 million kilograms of food.
Demand is growing. Baridi has secured 22 letters of intent valued at USD 1.27 million, and reports a broader obtainable pipeline of USD 3.36 million. Baridi offers a model that reduces food loss, cuts emissions by replacing diesel cooling, and strengthens rural value chains. By making solar cold storage more affordable and deployable at scale, Baridi is building critical agricultural infrastructure for East Africa’s food systems transition.
OffGridBox
An integrated solution bringing clean water and renewable energy to clinics, schools, refugee camps and other settings.
How are we powering investment?
Powering Clean Energy Investment supports enterprises that have proven their potential but need the right resources and networks to navigate the challenging path to scale.
The programme is designed to cater to the needs of clean energy innovators who are targeting a broad range of investments and funding — from philanthropic grants to debt-based financing
Powering Clean Energy Investment is giving social impact investors access to a diverse, high-impact portfolio of clean energy enterprises. These enterprises are empowering people and communities across the Global South — delivering affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to those who need it most.
The programme offers:
Development grants that help organisations address key challenges, strengthen operations, and explore growth opportunities, positioning them for long-term success.
Access to expert support to enhance organisations’ financial management, governance, business strategy, legal status and investment readiness, ensuring they can effectively secure and deploy capital.
Strategic communications support to build our portfolio’s storytelling, build their brand presence, and connect them with funders and investors.
Funder and investor engagement through curated events, roundtables, and networking opportunities that create effective investment pathways.
Find out more
To find out more about the programme and our portfolio of innovators, contact Isona Shibata, Head of International
The programme is supported by
