What Nuru does

Nuru SASU is a renewable energy developer and operator headquartered in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, building solar-hybrid mini-grid and metrogrid infrastructure for urban communities in eastern DRC. The company was founded in 2015 as Kivu Green Energy by Jonathan Shaw and Archip Lobo, rebranded to Nuru in 2019, and currently operates a 1.3MW solar-hybrid mini-grid in Goma — described as the largest off-grid solar hybrid production facility in sub-Saharan Africa — together with smaller sites in Beni, Tadu, and Faradje. Its core product is a modular solar-plus-battery-plus-backup-generator metrogrid, distributed via proprietary bamboo electricity poles and smart meters to deliver 24/7 power at tariffs roughly three times cheaper than incumbent diesel generation.

The company's customer mix spans residential households, small and medium enterprises, commercial and industrial anchor clients, and institutions, with C&I anchors deliberately used to underwrite grid extension to surrounding communities. Revenue is generated primarily through subscription-based electricity sales over the owned mini-grid distribution network, with a supplementary P-REC monetization stream via Energy Peace Partners. Go-to-market is field-led enterprise sales targeting urban C&I off-takers in eastern DRC.

Nuru is venture-backed, having raised cumulative equity and quasi-equity exceeding $40M as of its July 2023 Series B, led by IFC, GEAPP, REPP, Proparco, E3 Capital, Voltalia, Schmidt Family Foundation, GAIA Impact Fund and Joseph Family Foundation, with an additional $28M in project finance anticipated. Capital is being deployed to build 13.7 MWp of new metrogrids in Goma, Kindu, and Bunia, with stated ambitions to scale to 5 million people served and ultimately provide 10 million Congolese with electricity by December 2030.

Name

Nuru

Legal name

Nuru SASU

Website

https://nuru.cd

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nuru SASU develops and operates solar-hybrid metrogrids in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, selling subscription electricity to households, SMEs and commercial/industrial clients via owned distribution infrastructure in cities such as Goma, Kindu, Bunia and Beni.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Off-grid Solar Mini-grid Electricity

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Generation (22111)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Microgrids (Solar+Storage+Gen, Multi-Resource) (EUACALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microgrid Development, EPC & Integration (EUAMAJAB), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

Keywords

• Solar mini-grid
• Renewable energy
• Off-grid electrification
• Distributed power generation
• Metrogrid electricity

Headquarters

HQ city

Nord-Kivu

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electricity Sales: Direct electricity sales to customers through mini-grid distribution. Provides stable and reliable electricity supply at cheaper price than existing diesel sources. Serves commercial and industrial off-takers as anchor loads, plus households, SMEs and institutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nuru develops, owns, and operates solar-hybrid mini-grid (metrogrid) infrastructure in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, combining photovoltaic generation, battery storage, and backup generators distributed through independent mini-grids with bamboo poles and smart meters. The company sells electricity directly to commercial/industrial clients as anchor loads as well as to households, SMEs, and institutions, displacing expensive diesel generation at roughly 3x lower cost.

Product overview

Nuru offers a portfolio of solar-hybrid mini-grid and metrogrid products for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The core offering consists of modular energy systems — combining solar panels, battery storage, backup generators, and a distribution network with smart meters — deployed across four operating sites (Goma, Beni, Tadu, Faradje). The Goma site (1.3 MW) is the flagship and the largest off-grid solar hybrid in sub-Saharan Africa. Nuru serves Commercial & Industrial clients, households, SMEs, and institutions, competing with diesel generators by providing more affordable and reliable power. The company is expanding from its current operating portfolio to three new 13.7 MWp metrogrid sites in Goma, Kindu, and Bunia, targeting 5 million people by 2024 and 10 million by 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar-Hybrid Mini-Grid / Metrogrid Modular solar-hybrid energy systems combining solar panels, battery storage containers, backup diesel generators, and a distribution mini-grid with transformers and power poles, designed to deliver 24/7 reliable renewable electricity to underserved urban communities in the DRC.
• Goma Solar Hybrid Site (1.3 MW) Flagship 1.3 MW solar hybrid site in Goma, North Kivu — the largest off-grid mini-grid in sub-Saharan Africa — with approximately 4,000 solar panels, battery storage, and backup generation supplying electricity to households, SMEs, and C&I clients.
• Beni Solar Hybrid Site

Quantifiable outcome

• 3x lower electricity costs compared to diesel generators
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SNELcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SNEL (national electricity utility) allowing Nuru to provide up to 150MW of extended power to the grid in the Northeast. Strategic relationship for potential grid integration.
• Energy Peace PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in P-REC (Peace Renewable Energy Credit) initiative. EPP authorized as I-REC country issuer in DRC. P-REC revenue supports Nuru's projects including solar streetlights in conflict-affected eastern DRC.
• SolarcenturyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOff-grid energy provider partner supporting Nuru's project implementation.
• PowerGen Renewable EnergyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOff-grid energy provider partner supporting Nuru's project implementation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PowerGen Renewable Energy: PowerGen develops and operates solar mini-grids across East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone). Listed as an implementation partner of Nuru, and operates in an adjacent sub-Saharan African off-grid solar mini-grid model with anchor load plus community connections.
• Husk Power Systems: Husk Power Systems designs, builds, and operates solar-hybrid mini-grids serving rural and peri-urban communities across Africa and Asia. Directly comparable to Nuru in technology stack (solar + storage + backup gen), mini-grid business model, and pay-for-use electricity distribution.
• M-KOPA: M-KOPA is a leading pay-as-you-go solar provider serving millions of customers across East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria). Comparable in bringing affordable solar electricity to underserved African households, though primarily via home systems rather than mini-grids.
• Zola Electric: Zola Electric provides off-grid solar-plus-storage solutions across Tanzania and other sub-Saharan African markets. Comparable to Nuru in offering hybrid solar-battery systems to underserved customers in East/Central Africa where grid access is limited.
• BBOXX: BBOXX is a UK-based solar energy company operating across sub-Saharan Africa with both solar home systems and growing solar mini-grid operations. Comparable in serving underserved African customers via distributed solar infrastructure with pay-as-you-go financing.
• Equatorial Power: Equatorial Power develops and operates solar mini-grids in Uganda and surrounding East African markets. Comparable to Nuru in mini-grid business model, hybrid solar+storage technology, and anchor-load-driven community electrification strategy.

Broad incumbents

• d.light: d.light designs, manufactures, and finances distributed solar energy solutions for households and businesses across more than 60 emerging markets. Broader incumbent in the off-grid solar space; less overlap with Nuru's mini-grid focus but competes for the same end-customer wallet.
• ENGIE Energy Access: ENGIE Energy Access is the off-grid energy subsidiary of ENGIE, a global utility, operating distributed solar and mini-grid businesses across Africa. Comparable in off-grid African energy access mission with deeper balance sheet and broader geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Sun King (Greenlight Planet): Sun King distributes pay-as-you-go solar home systems across Africa and Asia. Adjacent peer to Nuru — operates in the same off-grid African energy access space but focuses on decentralized home systems rather than community-scale metrogrids.

Others

• Solarcentury (African Operations / Statkraft): Solarcentury is a global solar developer with East African operations, listed as an implementation partner supporting Nuru's projects. Comparable in solar EPC and development capability, now part of Statkraft, focused on utility-scale and C&I solar.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nurucongo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nurusarl
• Instagraminstagram.com/nurucongo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors11 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nuru