Renew Capital invests in Sawa Energy

Confronting the critical challenge of energy in East Africa, Sawa Energy is changing how small and medium businesses access power. With operations in Rwanda and Uganda, Sawa Energy eliminates upfront costs, making solar and energy-efficient solutions more accessible and affordable.


Established in 2021, Sawa Energy's mission extends beyond energy provision. It focuses on constructing, owning and operating solar systems for clients, enabling significant savings and reducing electricity pricing volatility. The company aims to become the largest private provider of solar power in East Africa by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to building a greener and more sustainable future.

“Our passion at Sawa Energy is to create a business that delivers on three critical fronts — building partnerships with East African companies, reducing emissions, and providing robust returns to our investors,” said Samuel Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Sawa Energy as he emphasized the company's broader impact goals. “We strongly believe in creating a sustainable model that benefits all stakeholders.”

Sawa Energy sets itself apart by removing the financial and operational risks to going solar. They offer local business integrated energy solutions with no upfront cost, and no operation and maintenance fees, ensuring that their customers have a seamless and worry-free transition to cleaner and more affordable energy.

“Sawa Energy's approach to affordable and sustainable energy solutions is transformative for East African SMEs,” said Blessing Layee-Maima Caine, Renew Capital’s Investment Manager for Rwanda. “Renew Capital as one of the investors in the consortium is proud to support Sawa Energy's vision of a future where businesses can grow sustainably and cost-effectively.”