Energise Africa

What Energise Africa does

Energise Africa is a UK-regulated online investment platform that enables UK retail investors to deploy capital into Sub-Saharan African clean energy projects via bond subscriptions, targeting returns of up to 8% per annum alongside measurable social and environmental impact. Operated by Lendahand Ethex Ltd (a 50:50 joint venture between Ethex Investment Club Limited and Hands-On BV, the Lendahand parent), the platform is administered through ShareIn Limited as its FCA-authorised parent (FRN 603332), which handles payment processing, segregated client money custody, ISA management, and principal/interest repayments. Minimum investments start at £50 and qualifying bonds can be held within an Innovative Finance ISA for tax efficiency. The company serves two primary customer segments: UK retail impact investors seeking tax-efficient, transparent exposure to African clean energy, and Sub-Saharan African clean energy developers and distributors seeking debt capital to bridge Results-Based Finance (RBF) grant funding gaps.

The platform's core technology is its bond-issuance and investment administration pipeline, supplemented by a Nairobi-based deal-sourcing and due-diligence operation that complements the Oxford headquarters. Issuers access capital through two structures: (1) retail bond offerings listed on the platform with a capped 4% issuer fee, and (2) a newly launched (March 2026) RBF-backed secured working capital loan product for Green Mini-Grid developers and SHS/PUE distributors, with loan sizes of $500k–$3m, 7–8% interest, 5% arrangement fee and 1% annual monitoring fee. Marketing is conducted via content, webinars, climate-finance events, and cross-promotion with sister platform Ethex. De-risking for retail investors is provided through Good Energies Foundation first-loss protection, UK Aid match funding, and an Energise Africa Guarantee Limited first-investment guarantee (50% of first £1,000 up to £500).

As of the latest data, Energise Africa has facilitated over £48m across 250+ projects, connecting 1.1m+ people to clean energy in countries including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and the DRC, with £29m+ already repaid to investors. The platform holds an Ethical Consumer Best Buy award and maintains industry memberships in GOGLA and ARE. In November 2025, sister platform Ethex acquired Energise Africa to consolidate impact-investing operations under unified ownership.

Name

Energise Africa

Legal name

Lendahand Ethex Ltd

Website

https://www.energiseafrica.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UK-regulated online investment platform enabling retail investors to fund Sub-Saharan African clean energy projects through bond subscriptions, targeting returns of up to 8% across solar, clean cooking, and electric mobility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Impact Investing / Clean Energy Crowdfunding Platform

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Investment Banking and Securities Intermediation (523150), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525), Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Finance Services (6199), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

ESG/Sustainable & Thematic Digital Investing Platforms (FSAGAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

ESG/Sustainable Investment Advisory (FSAEAAAJ), ESG/SRI & Climate ETFs (FSAAAFAJ), Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities (BPADACAH)

Keywords

• Impact investment platform
• Clean energy crowdfunding
• Bond investment opportunities
• Renewable energy financing
• Solar project funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Issuer platform fee: Energise Africa charges issuers a fee not exceeding 4% of total monies raised under a bond offer. This is the primary revenue stream from the issuers (clean energy companies) that list bonds on the platform.
2. RBF-backed loan arrangement and monitoring fees: For the RBF-backed working capital loan product, Energise Africa charges a 5% arrangement fee and a 1% annual monitoring fee on loan sizes of $500k–$3m.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Energise Africa is an online impact investment platform operated by Lendahand Ethex Ltd that enables UK retail investors to fund clean energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa through bond subscriptions, with target returns of up to 8% per annum. The platform lists vetted bond offerings (e.g., Zembo electric motorcycles, EcoSafi clean cookstoves, Maskh solar mini-grids), administered via FCA-authorised ShareIn Limited and eligible for an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) wrapper. The platform also provides RBF-backed working capital loans to African clean energy developers and a First Investment Guarantee for new retail investors.

Product overview

Energise Africa is an online impact investment platform that enables UK investors to fund clean energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa through bond investments. The core platform lists investment opportunities in solar energy companies, clean cooking enterprises, and electric mobility providers across Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. Products include individual bond offerings (Zembo electric motorcycles, EcoSafi clean cookstoves, Maskh solar mini-grids) with target returns of up to 8%, which can be held within an Innovative Finance ISA for tax efficiency. The platform also offers an RBF-Backed Working Capital Loan product for developers and a First Investment Guarantee for new investors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energise Africa Investment Platform Online crowdfunding platform enabling UK investors to fund clean energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa through bond investments, connecting retail investors with vetted solar, clean cooking, and electric mobility enterprises.
• Zembo Issue 1: 8.0% Bond A 12-month, 8.0% bond raising £200,000 to finance the Ugandan-based assembly and delivery of 200 electric motorbikes by Zembo as a transition from petrol-powered boda bodas. 1:1 match funding and IFISA eligible.
• EcoSafi Issue 2: 8.0% Bond A 24-month, 8.0% bond raising £300,000 to manufacture and distribute 4,932 clean cookstoves and sustainable fuel pellets in Kenya, helping households transition away from charcoal. IFISA eligible.
• Maskh Issue 1: 8.0% Bond A 24-month, 8.0% bond raising £600,000 to build and connect 19 green mini-grid sites across Bauchi and Jigawa states in Nigeria, bringing clean electricity to nearly 67,000 people. IFISA eligible.
• Energise Africa Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) An Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) wrapper that allows UK investors to hold qualifying Energise Africa bonds tax-efficiently, with returns being tax-free. Administered by FCA-authorised ShareIn Limited. No platform fees are charged for the IFISA.
• RBF-Backed Working Capital Loan Product Secured working capital loan product for African Green Mini-Grid developers and Solar Home System / Productive Use Equipment distributors, bridging pre-Results-Based Finance funding gaps. Loan sizes $500k–$3m, tenor 12–24 months, interest 7–8%, 5% arrangement fee, 1% annual monitoring fee, secured by pledge over RBF capital and equipment.
• First Investment Guarantee A limited capital guarantee offered by Energise Africa Guarantee Limited, covering 50% of the first £1,000 invested (up to a £500 maximum) for new investors who use a valid promotion code.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £48 million in funds raised across 250+ projects, connecting 1.1m+ people to clean energy, with £29m+ repaid to investors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EthexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthex is Energise Africa's founding partner and sister platform — both are platforms under the 50:50 joint venture Lendahand Ethex Ltd. Ethex helps everyday people make ethical investments in community organisations and purpose-driven businesses. Over eight years, Ethex and Energise Africa together have enabled 20,000+ people to invest in 200+ projects totalling over £100 million. Ethex cross-promotes Energise Africa bond offerings to its investor community.
• Energy 4 ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy 4 Impact is a UK non-profit supporting small energy businesses in Africa with mentoring, advisory services, and capital access support. The organisation partners with Energise Africa to manage UK Aid's funding, introduce potential borrowers to the platform, and monitor the initiative's impact on the ground.
• GOGLA (Glocal Off Grid Lighting Association)minorOthersGOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry, established in 2012 and representing over 180 members. Energise Africa is a member of GOGLA, benefiting from industry networking, best practice sharing, and alignment with global off-grid solar standards and market intelligence.
• Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE)minorOthersThe Alliance for Rural Electrification is a global business association representing 200 members along the distributed renewable energy value chain, working to expand sustainable electricity access, create jobs, and respond to climate change in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Energise Africa is a member of ARE.
• CEI AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEI Africa (Clean Energy Investment in Africa) was established by KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2021, with the Swiss Development Cooperation joining as a contributor in 2022. It develops investment solutions bridging the financing gap in challenging access-to-energy sub-sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, working with financiers and off-grid solar/mini-grid experts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lendahand: Dutch online impact investing platform enabling retail investors to fund renewable energy and small-business loans in emerging markets. Lendahand is Energise Africa's joint-venture partner (Hands-On BV) in the 50:50 Lendahand Ethex Ltd entity and operates a near-identical model in continental Europe.
• Mosaic: US-based solar loan marketplace financing residential and small-commercial solar through retail investor capital. Comparable technology-enabled retail-to-solar lending model, though focused on US residential rather than emerging-market off-grid solar.
• Ethex: UK positive-investment platform for individuals, charities, and social enterprises; Energise Africa's sister platform, JV partner, and now parent following the November 2025 acquisition. Direct overlap in retail UK impact-investor base, IFISA offering, and ethical screening.
• Trine: Sweden-based crowdfunding platform that lets European retail investors fund solar energy projects in emerging markets through bond-like structures. Comparable product (solar project bonds), comparable customer (European retail impact investors), and comparable blended-finance model.
• Abundance Investment: UK FCA-regulated platform offering retail investment in debentures and bonds issued by renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Comparable UK retail regulatory model, IFISA offering, and project-bond distribution mechanics.
• SunFunder (Climate Fund Managers / Solar Connect): Specialist solar finance platform originating and structuring debt for off-grid solar and mini-grid companies across Sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable in target asset class (African solar SMEs) and in addressing the same RBF/working-capital funding gap Energise Africa's loan product targets.

Broad incumbents

• Acumen: Global impact investor providing patient capital and technical assistance to early-stage off-grid energy and clean energy companies in Africa and South Asia. Targets the same African clean energy SMEs that borrow through Energise Africa's platform.
• Climate Fund Managers (CFM): Joint venture between Sanlam InfraWorks and FMO managing blended-finance climate funds for emerging markets, including renewable energy access. Operates at institutional scale in the same African clean energy investment space Energise Africa serves via retail bonds.

Emerging players

• Energy 4 Impact: UK non-profit that supports African clean energy SMEs with advisory services and capital access. Energise Africa's stated partner for managing UK Aid funding, monitoring, and pipeline introductions, so it is a strategic partner as well as an adjacent player in the same ecosystem.
• Kiva: Global crowdfunding platform for microloans to underbanked borrowers including off-grid solar and clean energy entrepreneurs in developing countries. Comparable retail-to-emerging-market lending model, though Kiva operates at larger scale and with a 0% interest model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/energiseafrica

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments6 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Energise Africa