What Solektra Rwanda does

Solektra Rwanda Ltd is a Kigali-headquartered subsidiary of ADS Group – Africa Development Solutions, founded in 2018 to deliver clean renewable energy and digital services across Rwanda. The company installs and maintains solar home systems (notably the Home Mate H3G-76W unit), solar street lights, solar rooftop solutions, solar water heaters, solar mini-grids, and smart solar irrigation systems built on SunMoksha's IoT and cloud-based Smart AQUAnet platform, which processes soil moisture, temperature, and humidity sensor data to automate irrigation and enable remote monitoring. Beyond solar hardware, the portfolio includes clean cooking via PAYGO-enabled eCook induction stoves, Pay-As-You-Go smartphones (Samsung Galaxy A15 5G), 4G internet and fiber connectivity, Irembo e-government service facilitation, ICDL-certified digital literacy training, insurance distribution, ESG solutions for banks, service center management for institutions such as DGIE and Bank of Kigali, and a newly launched utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project.

Solektra serves a heterogeneous customer base spanning off-grid rural households, district and national government agencies, refugee camps (Gihembe, Nyabiheke, Kigeme), educational and rehabilitation institutions (e.g., Iwawa), commercial enterprises (Sawa Citi Supermarket, Social Good Farm), and underserved citizens needing digital and financial access. Distribution combines direct government tender sales, a nationwide Irembo agent network, partnerships with NGOs and development finance institutions (Practical Action, Save the Children, UNHCR, World Bank/BRD, GIZ, EndeEv), and the Solektra Solar Academy for technician training. The business model is multi-stream: one-time product sales and installation revenue, recurring PAYGO subscriptions for solar, cooking, and smartphone hardware, transaction fees from Irembo e-government services, professional services revenue from service center management and training, and project-based revenue from government and donor-funded electrification contracts. Strategic positioning is reinforced by the AFSIA Solar Award 2022 and the EPD Rwanda 2024 outstanding contribution award, alongside partnerships with ATEC Global (100,000-stove clean cooking rollout) and Huawei (DigiTruck digital skills program).

Name

Solektra Rwanda

Legal name

Solektra Rwanda Ltd

Website

https://solektra.rw

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Solektra Rwanda Ltd, a Kigali-based subsidiary of ADS Group founded in 2018, provides solar home systems, mini-grids, clean cooking solutions, and digital services to off-grid households, district governments, refugee camps, and enterprises across Rwanda.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Energy Solutions & Clean Cooking

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Resilience & Backup Power Solutions (Critical Facilities, Islanding) (EUAMAJAK), DER Financing, Leasing & Billing Platforms (TPO, PPA, On-Bill) (EUAMAJAJ)

Keywords

• Solar energy solutions
• Clean cooking appliances
• Pay-as-you-go financing
• Off-grid electrification
• Solar home systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Kigali

HQ country

Rwanda

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Energy Products and Installation: Sale and installation of solar home systems, solar street lights, solar rooftop solutions, solar water heaters, and smart solar irrigation systems. Revenue generated from product sales, installation fees, and ongoing maintenance contracts. Government and NGO tenders are primary procurement channels.
2. Pay-As-You-Go Device Financing: Smartphones and induction cookstoves offered through PAYGO model where customers make deposits and pay in installments. Revenue from the spread between device cost and installment payments.
3. Digital Services and E-Government Facilitation: Irembo agent network providing e-government services to citizens. Revenue through transaction fees, service charges, and potentially agent commissions.
4. Service Center Management: Operations management for DGIE service centers, Bank of Kigali service points, and similar institutional service environments. Revenue through service contracts with institutions.
5. Training and Certification: Solektra Solar Academy provides training programs for internal and external solar industry professionals, validated by certification bodies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Solektra Rwanda sells, installs, and finances clean renewable energy solutions including solar home systems, solar street lights, solar rooftop installations, mini-grids, smart solar irrigation systems, and solar water heaters for households, businesses, and government projects. The company also distributes pay-as-you-go clean cooking induction stoves, smartphones, and delivers digital services such as 4G internet, Irembo e-government facilitation, digital literacy training, insurance services, and ESG solutions for financial institutions across Rwanda.

Product overview

Solektra Rwanda operates a diversified clean energy and digital services ecosystem centered on solar technology, telecommunications, and financial inclusion. The core product portfolio spans solar home systems (Home Mate H3G-76W), clean cooking solutions (eCook Induction Stove with PAYGO/GSM capability), smart irrigation (IoT-based Smart AQUAnet™ platform), solar street lights, solar rooftop installations, water heaters, and mini-grids. Digital services include 4G internet and FIBA fiber connectivity, PAYG smartphone financing (Samsung Galaxy devices), Irembo e-government service facilitation, digital literacy training with ICDL certification, insurance services, and service center management. Strategic offerings encompass ESG solutions for banks, utility-scale battery energy storage systems, energy backup solutions, and construction services. The company serves over 30,000 customers since 2018, operating across multiple districts in Rwanda through an integrated network of agents, partnerships with organizations including ATEC Global, SunMoksha, Samsung, Irembo, and various government agencies and NGOs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• eCook: Electric induction cookstove product range using electromagnetic induction technology combined with PAYGO and GSM capability for Base of Pyramid consumers.
• Home Mate H3G
• Solektra Digital Solutions
• Solektra Solar Academy

Products and services

• Solar Home System (Home Mate H3G-76W) Compact solar home system providing 76W solar power generation with integrated panel, battery storage, and DC power outputs for basic household electricity including lighting and phone charging. Designed for off-grid Rwandan households.
• eCook Induction Stove Electric induction cooktop using electromagnetic technology combined with PAYGO and GSM capability, offering high-efficiency, low-cost cooking for base-of-pyramid consumers. Features rapid heating, no fumes, and easy cleaning.
• Solar Street Lights Autonomous solar-powered public lighting systems combining photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and LED fixtures for continuous nighttime illumination in streets and outdoor areas of off-grid, peri-urban, and urban locations.
• Solar Rooftop Solutions Commercial solar rooftop system design and installation including energy surveys and power requirement analysis; uses Helioscope and PVSyst software for international-standard-compliant designs, with battery backup options for critical load support.
• Solar Water Heaters Thermosiphon solar water heating systems with capacities from 150L to 300L; maintenance-free operation for up to ten years without requiring anode replacement; available with loan subsidy financing options.
• Smart Solar Irrigation Solar-powered irrigation system using SunMoksha's IoT and cloud-based Smart AQUAnet platform; monitors soil moisture, temperature, and humidity for automated irrigation scheduling; enables remote control, usage transparency, and differential billing.
• Mini-Grids Solar-powered mini-grid installations connecting multiple households and facilities to centralized solar generation with battery storage; enables community businesses including barber shops, boutiques with refrigeration, and printing services.
• Samsung Galaxy A15 5G (Smartphone on PAYG) Smartphone available on pay-as-you-go financing for customers who cannot afford upfront purchase; 6.5-inch display, 50MP main camera, 128GB storage, 5000mAh battery; sold with small deposit followed by installment payments.
• Solektra Solar Academy Solar energy training initiative for internal and external staff; develops market-adapted training sessions validated by certification bodies; aims to become recognized certification and accreditation center for solar photovoltaic energy training.
• High-Speed Internet (4G / FIBA Fiber) High-speed 4G internet connectivity for homes, businesses, and communities; FIBA (Fiber to Home and Business Access) provides ultra-fast fiber connectivity; also offers 4G SIM cards and eSIMs for smartphones and portable devices.
• E-Government / Irembo Services E-government service facilitation through the Irembo platform; trained agents nationwide provide access to government services including Rwanda Revenue Authority services and various payment services; includes agent recruitment and management.
• Insurance Services Last-mile insurance services offered through partnerships with local insurance companies; covers livestock (cows, pigs, chickens), crops (rice, potatoes, pepper, cassava, maize, beans, soybeans), automobiles, and other insurance needs.
• Service Center Management Operations management for high-volume service centers including DGIE service centers and Bank of Kigali service points; focuses on reducing waiting times, standardizing processes, performance tracking, and customer experience improvement.
• ESG Solutions for Banks Environmental, Social, and Governance solutions for financial institutions; includes solar rooftop installations, energy backup systems, carbon footprint reduction, community impact initiatives, green financing partnerships, and ESG reporting with data-driven monitoring tools.
• Energy Backup Solutions Backup power systems for homes and businesses including banks requiring critical power support; features excellent warranties and technical support; includes energy surveys, custom design, and quotation services.
• Strategic Construction Services Construction services for office, residential, and commercial buildings; includes office space design and construction, residential home building, and commercial facility construction including retail stores, restaurants, and warehouses.
• Smart Solar Kiosks / Solar-Powered Container Classrooms Solar-powered mobile digital classrooms and service kiosks providing access to digital literacy, government services, and internet connectivity in off-grid areas; supports digital skills training with ICDL certification.
• Digital Literacy Training Digital skills program offering ICDL-certified training to citizens; includes computer confidence building, internet access, and hands-on technology engagement; currently offering services through Smart Village initiative in Tumba Sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 30,000+ customers since 2018, contributing to increasing Rwanda's electricity access from 34% (2017) to 78%.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Irembo LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership signed in 2019 for Solektra to provide e-government/Irembo services. Solektra recruits and manages agents throughout the country to facilitate citizens' access to Irembo government services.
• Practical Action RwandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the RE4R (Renewable Energy for Refugees) project. Solektra installed solar street lights in 3 refugee camps and solar home systems in 2 refugee camps.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the SB2S-LIGHTS Project delivering solar home systems to beneficiary households in Gatsibo and Gicumbi districts, empowering students to study after dark.
• Rwanda Development Board (RDB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for solar street lighting projects in Kayonza District, Rwanda.
• ATEC GlobalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to distribute 100,000 smart induction electric stoves to grid-connected households relying on charcoal and firewood. ATEC's data-verified, high-efficiency solution is 50% more cost-effective.
• SunMokshacoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership using SunMoksha's IoT and cloud-based Smart AQUAnet™ system for smart solar irrigation projects.
• ICDL (International Computer Driving License)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for digital literacy training, offering certifications to 300 citizens in the Smart Village project in Tumba Sector.
• KAWISAFIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Women Empowerment program, providing technical training for 60 women to become solar agents and technicians.
• Rwanda Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Renewable Energy Conference Week where Solektra participated as panelists. Ministry oversees national energy policy.
• Energy Private Developers Association (EPD Rwanda)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association organizing Renewable Energy Conference Week. Solektra recognized with outstanding contribution award.
• HuaweimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for DigiTruck initiative - a mobile classroom with laptops and internet traveling across Rwanda's 30 districts providing digital skills training.
• ADS Group - Africa Development SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company/holding structure. Solektra Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADS Group.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Husk Power Systems: Husk Power Systems designs, installs, and operates solar mini-grids and commercial solar in rural Africa (Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda) and South Asia. Comparable in mini-grid technology and rural off-grid customer targeting across emerging markets.
• ATEC Global: ATEC Global manufactures IoT-enabled clean cooking solutions (biogas and electric stoves) for emerging markets and is Solektra's partner for the 100,000 induction stove project. Comparable in clean cooking technology and PAYGO distribution model for base-of-pyramid customers.
• Sun King (formerly Greenlight Planet): Sun King sells PAYGO solar home systems to off-grid households across Africa and Asia, with similar product range (entry-level solar lanterns to larger SHS) and PAYGO financing model. Comparable distribution through agent networks and direct-to-consumer sales.
• PowerGen Renewable Energy: PowerGen builds and operates solar mini-grids and commercial & industrial solar across East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone). Directly comparable in mini-grid deployments and East African geographic footprint, serving similar off-grid and rural electrification use cases.
• Zola Electric: Zola Electric (formerly Off Grid Electric) provides PAYGO solar and storage solutions across Tanzania, Rwanda, and other African markets. Directly comparable PAYGO model with overlap in Rwanda, serving similar off-grid customer segments with smart solar systems.
• d.light: d.light designs, manufactures, and distributes solar lanterns and PAYGO solar home systems across Africa and Asia. Comparable in product offering (SHS, PAYGO financing) and target customer (off-grid low-income households), though with broader geographic reach.
• M-KOPA: M-KOPA is the leading PAYGO solar home system provider in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), offering similar solar products with mobile-money-based installment financing for off-grid households. Directly comparable business model targeting base-of-pyramid customers across the same region.
• BBOXX: BBOXX is a UK-headquartered PAYGO solar company operating across Sub-Saharan Africa with smart solar home systems and IoT-enabled monitoring. Directly comparable product technology (IoT-enabled PAYGO) and distribution approach in similar off-grid markets.

Broad incumbents

• Fenix International (ENGIE): Fenix International, acquired by ENGIE in 2021, operates the PAYGO 'ReadyPay' solar home system business in Uganda and other African markets. Comparable PAYGO solar product, with ENGIE providing broader financial backing and grid infrastructure capabilities beyond Solektra's regional scope.

Emerging players

• SunCulture: SunCulture sells solar-powered irrigation systems to smallholder farmers across East Africa, integrating IoT and PAYGO financing. Comparable in the smart solar irrigation product category (Smart AQUAnet) and target customers (rural agricultural users with PAYGO financing).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/solektra_rwanda
• Facebookfacebook.com/solektrar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solektra-rwanda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Solektra Rwanda