By: Disrupt Africa

Founded in 2021, Sawa Energy is a renewable energy group operating in East Africa, focused on providing fully-financed, tailored solar PV and energy storage solutions to commercial and industrial clients, with a mission to drive the transition to clean energy. 

By offering long-term contracts (10-25 years) at discounted rates compared to traditional grid tariffs, Sawa Energy enables clients to access reliable, affordable, and clean electricity. The company also provides comprehensive operations and maintenance services to ensure optimal system performance throughout the contract duration. 

ElectriFI, meanwhile, as the EU-funded “Electrification Financing Initiative”, and its EUR2.5 million investment, allocated through the Uganda Country Window of  ElectriFI, aims to catalyse the expansion of solar PV and Backup Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) across Uganda and Rwanda. 

It is designed to unlock an efficient capital structure, attracting additional institutional lenders and investors to support Sawa Energy’s ambitious growth plans in Uganda. The investment will enable Sawa Energy to scale its portfolio.

“At Sawa Energy, our mission is to make clean, affordable energy accessible for businesses across East Africa. This partnership with ElectriFI enables us to scale our impact, helping more companies reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and improve productivity. We believe in building a sustainable model that benefits our clients, our team, our investors, and the communities we serve,” said Samuel Kaufman, CEO and co-founder of Sawa Energy.

“By supporting Sawa Energy’s expansion in Uganda and Rwanda, we are helping to accelerate the transition from polluting diesel generators to reliable, affordable solar power for businesses, creating lasting economic and environmental benefits across the region,” said Rodrigo Madrazo, CEO of EDFI Management Company.