FUNDED PROJECTS

ENGIE Equatorial is a joint venture between ENGIE Energy Access, an international renewable energy solutions provider, and Equatorial Power, a local low-carbon energy infrastructure and services developer based in Kampala, Uganda. An estimated 30,000 fishing boats are operational in Uganda’s territory of Lake Victoria, almost all of
them powered by petrol engines. With support from PREO, ENGIE Equatorial has piloted 15 electric boats (e-boats) on Lolwe Island and powered them through its 600kWp mini-grid.

Farm Warehouse began as a distributor of agro-processing equipment to farmers and small businesses connected to mini-grids. After selling 75 processing units, the company evolved to operate a digital platform providing access to PURE (Productive Use of Renewable Energy) equipment, warehouse services, and market linkage opportunities. With funding from PREO, Farm Warehouse is piloting an e-commerce application to serve as a marketplace for processed products from smallholder farmers. The company continues to distribute small-scale PURE equipment and provide produce warehousing services, supporting the entire value chain from equipment access to product storage and market connectivity.

Feion Green Ventures’ flagship Electric Pressure Cooker (EPC) ‘Jiko-Kul’ operates on solar and grid power offering a cleaner, faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. With PREO funding, Feion Green Ventures will deploy 20 EPCs in schools across Kenya (3 demo units and 17 commercial units) to assess the viability of different business models (PAYGO, lease-to-own, direct purchases, and O&M services). The EPCs, developed by Feion Green Ventures, are expected to reduce operational costs by up to 60% and cooking time by 70%.

Good Nature Agro (GNA) aims to enhance agricultural productivity in Zambia by introducing solar-powered borehole and irrigation systems which will enable farmers to grow crops during the dry season – increasing farming seasons from one to up to three per year while boosting incomes. GNA’s initiative, with funding from PREO, focuses on sustainable intensification of land use, reducing deforestation, and supporting subsistence farmers in growing high-value legume seeds like soybeans and groundnuts. By offering irrigation and contracting programs, GNA seeks to double farmers’ annual incomes without expanding land area. Additionally, GNA provides crop guidance and market access while using a ‘grower rating’ system to improve productivity and potentially secure financing for further equipment investments.

Green Eden Farms specialises in IOT-enabled farming solutions to reduce post-harvest loss in Nigeria. The PREO grant will enable Green Eden to scale up its Zauna Sabon Rana project to provide 40 additional solar-powered cold storage hubs to smallholder farmer cooperatives through an innovative structured financing model.

The Solar for Sustainable Income in Dairy project aims to benefit the dairy sector in Uganda by introducing solar-powered milk chilling infrastructure at five dairy cooperatives, in regions where chilling infrastructure is lacking. This PREO-funded initiative, involving JESA dairy and led by Heifer International, seeks to increase dairy production, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost farmers’ incomes by overcoming financial and technological barriers. By implementing this two-year project in central and southwestern Uganda, the initiative also aims to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions by shifting from diesel to renewable energy.

Hinckley Associates, in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Fan Milk, is leading a project to develop second life lithium battery packs to power fridge-freezers in Nigeria’s cold chain sector. Supported by funding from PREO, the initiative aims to reduce barriers for off-grid frozen product resellers by providing a cleaner, more affordable energy source. This innovation can enhance the business operations of Fan Milk and nationwide distribution network by reducing costs, improving fridge reliability, and increasing revenue through reduced stock spoilage. Additionally, Hinckley’s recycling efforts have provided valuable insights into environmental challenges, leading to expertise in energy storage and fridge processing, while fostering local job creation and economic value through sustainable energy solutions.

Hinckley, an e-waste recycling company established in Nigeria, has developed a semi-industrialised recycling facility capable of processing an impressive 10,000 tons of waste annually. The company’s innovative approach allows it to handle diverse waste streams, including batteries from cars, inverters, phones, laptops, and solar power units. In a milestone achievement, Hinckley became the first company to export lithium batteries from Nigeria to Europe for safe treatment, setting a new standard in responsible e-waste management. Recognising the unique challenges faced by telecom towers, which often operate in remote, off-grid locations and rely heavily on diesel generators for 24/7 service, Hinckley is now embarking on an ambitious project. In partnership with IHS, Nigeria’s largest telecom tower owner, and with funding from PREO, Hinckley aims to validate a proof of concept for developing and installing second-life batteries to power these towers. This initiative seeks to address the energy needs of critical communication infrastructure as well as promoting circularity by repurposing used batteries.

ICE Solar Commercial Power Ltd is a Nigerian climate technology company aiming to transform energy access for micro MSMEs through its innovative ‘Ignite’ market intelligence approach and ‘Catalyst’ platform. The company deploys rooftop solar systems to commercial plazas, offering electricity-as-a-service via monthly subscriptions. The company partners with universities to upskill and employ local young people for market analysis and site identification, particularly in underserved peri-urban and rural communities in the Niger Delta region. With funding from PREO, ICE Solar plans to refine its business and financing model, and expand it’s operations. This scalable approach, leveraging blended finance strategies and long-term subordinated debt instruments, not only addresses local energy needs but also promotes local employment and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Imara Tech is addressing a lack of mechanisation and electricity access among smallholder farms in Tanzania by developing a portfolio of clean energy-powered agricultural machines. With 97% of these farms lacking machinery and less than half having community-level electricity, farmers are stuck with labor-intensive practices that limit productivity. Imara Tech’s initial products—a flour mill, peanut sheller, and oil press—are designed to enable off-grid farms to start profitable businesses by adding value to their harvests. With PREO funding, the company is scaling up local manufacturing and supply chains to ensure these machines, available in both AC and DC versions, can be widely deployed, with pilot testing throughout 2021 preceding full commercialisation.

Innovex, a Ugandan technology company, focuses on embedded systems, connected devices, and wireless communication technologies. In response to challenges in sub-Saharan Africa’s off-grid solar PV market, which is heavily reliant on Chinese-manufactured hardware, Innovex developed ‘Remot,’ an IoT solution for remotely monitoring and controlling solar PV systems. Initially, the hardware was designed in Uganda but manufactured in China, leading to delays and quality issues. With support from PREO, Innovex tested the viability of fully localising the design, manufacturing, and testing processes in Uganda, reducing costs and creating local jobs, while improving the accessibility and reliability of solar systems in the region.

InspiraFarms designs, develops, installs, services, and finances cold chain technology for fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, and animal protein supply chains in Africa and other emerging markets. InspiraFarms found that traditional cooling methods were not effective for high value produce and that there was an unmet need for removing the field heat within hours of harvest. With support from PREO, InspiraFarms developed a pre-cooling solution and demonstrated financial viability of operating pre-coolers and created a market opportunity. Pre-coolers are a portable, quick, and field-level response to reduce external temperature shocks on fresh produce immediately after harvest – the units bridge the gap between the farmer collection point and the packshed, to reduce post harvest losses and increase revenue.

Inter Ethiopia Solutions PLC (IES) is an Ethiopia-based enterprise specialising in e-waste management and the refurbishment of solar home systems (SHS) for resale. Partnering with Hidasie Telecom (HT), which manages e-waste and distributes IES’s refurbished products, as well as collaborating with D.light on e-waste management, IES focuses on developing second-life solar systems using lithium-ion batteries. This initiative not only reduces e-waste but enhances access to renewable energy for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Ethiopia.

Irri Hub Ke is piloting a farming‑as‑a‑service (FaaS) model that enables smallholder farmers to lease solar water pumps without the high upfront capital costs. Supported by PREO, the service bundles IoT‑enabled solar pumps, drip irrigation kits, and agronomy training into a single package. Based in Kenya, Irri Hub Ke provides solar‑powered irrigation systems complemented by climate‑smart agronomy support and market linkages.

JOKOSUN ENERGIES retrofits boat engines with electric motors, aiming to cut expenses, enhance safety, and contribute to global sustainability. The project enhances access to electricity, particularly in maritime areas, aligning with Senegal’s commitment to sustainable maritime practices and leverages a groundbreaking pilot with the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office – the first of its kind in West Africa. Its innovative approach prioritises technology and knowledge transfer, deviating from conventional ready-made solutions. Retrofitting locally ensures mechanics’ proficiency, minimises changes to existing repair systems, and significantly reduces maintenance costs. The transition to electric outboard engines positively impacts biodiversity and enhances tourism experiences through reduced noise disturbance. Jokosun’s pilot also provided crucial insights into establishing cost-effective battery charging facilities, whether grid-powered or solar.

Under JUMEME’s new KeyMaker Model, the solar mini-grid company partners with village communities to harness local natural resources, leveraging reliable electricity from its mini-grids to create competitive products. With funding support from PREO, the venture aims to improve the local economy of Maisome island by creating jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities around Tilapia fish trading on Lake Victoria, which JUMEME collects, freezes using its own electricity, and delivers. This approach not only ensures high-quality fish for the market but also allows JUMEME to offer better prices to fisherfolk while maintaining profitability and increasing energy uptake from the local population (due to an improved economy).

With PREO support, Kijani Testing Limited proposes to establish a solar water pump (SWP) testing facility in Kenya – the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. This facility aims to address a well-documented gap in the accessibility, affordability, and timeliness of independent performance testing for SWPs.

Building on Koolboks’ 2021 PREO project, Koolbuy offers a scalable platform to turn any fridge or freezer into a PAYG unit with optional solar retrofit, unlocking modern cooling for small businesses without upfront cost. Its innovation lies in combining several layers of accessibility: flexible financing, locking technology, solar upgrade, brand-agnostic integration and data intelligence.