A new wave of consolidation is sweeping through the African cleantech sector, as renewable energy firms race to scale operations, deepen local reach, and meet the continent’s growing demand for reliable power. The latest deals — ranging from strategic acquisitions to cross-border mergers — underscore a shift among impact investors and energy firms toward long-term, scalable models amid growing confidence in Africa’s energy transition.
In one of the more prominent moves, Germany-based EWIA Green Investments GmbH has acquired full ownership of fellow solar company SunErgy GmbH, converting a two-year collaboration into a formal merger. The transaction will see SunErgy’s shareholders, including infrastructure-focused asset manager KGAL, take equity positions in EWIA. The newly enlarged company aims to become a leading provider of solar energy solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, integrating both grid-tied commercial systems and off-grid village mini-grids.
“The merger of EWIA and SunErgy is a meaningful step toward realising our strategy of becoming one of the leading providers of solar solutions for sub-Saharan Africa,” said Ralph Schneider, EWIA’s Managing Director. “This not only supports geographical expansion but brings diversification into the stand-alone solutions market.”
SunErgy’s focus on rural electrification through turnkey mini-grids in Cameroon and other African countries complements EWIA’s solar-as-a-service model, which caters to medium-sized enterprises in Ghana and Nigeria. With the integration, EWIA’s workforce has expanded to 76 employees. The company now manages projects that span planning, financing, construction, and long-term operations — offering what Schneider calls a “full-service clean energy platform.”
Founded in Norway in 2010, SunErgy has operated in Cameroon since signing a 2014 agreement with the government to electrify 92 villages, serving around 600,000 people. So far, twelve municipalities have been reached, with solar power replacing costly diesel generators and offering more stable electricity for households, schools, and clinics.
A Rising Tide of Consolidation
The EWIA-SunErgy deal is one of several recent mergers and acquisitions reshaping Africa’s cleantech sector. In January, Abu Dhabi-based distributed renewable energy firm Ignite Power agreed to acquire 100% of ENGIE Energy Access (EEA) from French utility ENGIE. The deal, pending regulatory approval, would create the continent’s largest DRE (distributed renewable energy) company, under the new name Ignite Energy Access.
“The acquisition of EEA is a transformative milestone,” said Ignite CEO Yariv Cohen. “By combining their on-the-ground legacy with our scalable business model, we’re creating a full-spectrum energy access platform fit for Africa’s unique needs.”
The merged entity plans to deliver solar solutions to over 15 million people across 14 countries, and has set an ambitious target of connecting 100 million Africans to electricity by 2030. This builds on Ignite’s previous acquisitions and a recent $15 million capital injection from Afrigreen to expand its commercial and industrial solar portfolio.
Impact investors are increasingly active in the cleantech space, motivated by Africa’s demographic profile and the massive shortfall in electricity access. Over 600 million people across the continent still lack reliable power, and grid instability continues to hinder development in fast-growing economies. Solutions that combine renewable energy with digital tools and mobile payments have gained traction, especially in off-grid and peri-urban settings.
“Investments in solar and infrastructure drive growth and prosperity in Africa while countering the climate crisis,” said KGAL’s Dr. Alexander Ergenzinger, who now serves as Managing Director of SunErgy. “This market offers unparalleled potential for global investors.”
EWIA, which also operates in infrastructure segments such as mobile telecom towers and traffic monitoring systems, offers clean energy access and technology transfer as part of its broader investment thesis. The company provides European and institutional investors with exposure to climate-aligned assets that aim for both financial returns and social impact.
Further reflecting this trend is the recent merger between UK-based energy software firm SteamaCo and Nigerian IoT company Shyft Power Solutions. The union, announced late last year, brings together SteamaCo’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and Shyft’s distributed energy platform, enabling expanded operations in grid-connected and off-grid markets alike.
The deal was backed by Africa-focused climate investors including Equator VC, Praetura Ventures, and KawiSafi Ventures. SteamaCo’s Nimbus AMI, deployed in over 20 African countries, helps utilities manage energy flows and detect losses in real time — technologies increasingly vital in Africa’s decentralised energy systems.
The spate of mergers within the African cleantech sector reflects a broader push toward consolidation, as energy providers seek scale to match the continent’s vast energy challenge. For many operators, access to capital, technological innovation, and a localised footprint are proving decisive in the race to electrify Africa.
For impact investors, these mergers present an evolving opportunity set. “We are seeing a new generation of clean energy firms that blend technology, infrastructure, and finance to deliver measurable impact,” said Michael Ebner of KGAL. “Their success will hinge on scale, operational depth, and resilience in volatile regulatory environments.”
As the African cleantech sector matures, more consolidation (whether mergers or acquisitions) is likely — signalling a shift from small pilots to regional platforms capable of delivering both access and efficiency. Whether through solar mini-grids in Cameroon or pan-African solar rollouts from Abu Dhabi, the race to power Africa is gathering pace — and reshaping the continent’s energy landscape in the process.