Take a look at this solar-powered EV charging station

September 18, 2025

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South African EV charging company Charge is set to begin construction of its first five off-grid, solar-powered charging stations. This marks the start of a plan to build a network of 120 stations across the country. The move comes after the Development Bank of Southern Africa completed due diligence on a $5.7 million equity investment in the company.

  • Electric vehicle adoption in South Africa is accelerating, with at least 4,000 already on the road. This number is expected to rise to over 25,000 by 2030, driving a sharp increase in demand for charging infrastructure.

  • The country currently has a network of 500+ charging stations, led by providers such as GridCars and Rubicon. However, most remain dependent on utility Eskom’s fossil-fuel-powered grid, which is unreliable and costly.

  • Our take: If Charge can stably deliver cheaper tariffs, it’ll win with EV owners frustrated by rising grid costs… Read more (2 min)

The Climate Investment Fund, managed by Norfund, has exited the Kenhardt project, South Africa’s first large-scale hybrid solar and battery facility. The exit was enabled through a new equity partnership between H1 Holdings and Standard Bank, which secured $109.5 million in long-term financing, allowing early investors to exit.

  • The exit allows Norfund to reinvest in other projects and shows how early-stage climate finance can attract private capital in emerging markets.

  • African renewables are proving to be profitable, with several exits from private equity funds. Recently, AIIM, a private equity firm, completed a $41 million exit from three of its renewable energy projects in South Africa.

  • Our take: Exiting mature projects allows Norfund to recycle capital into early-stage ventures and projects, taking on risks private investors avoid… Read more (2 min)

Weekly jobs: South Africa hires for hybrid solar + battery roles

Energy companies have advertised 170+ new positions in the past week. Solar remains the leading technology on the continent. However, we have observed a significant number of hybrid solar + battery storage positions advertised in South Africa, about 5+ positions. This aligns with the country's uptake of battery storage solutions in utility-scale projects.

  • Sun King is the company hiring the most. It is recruiting for 14 roles in Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria and Kenya. The company has, in the past three weeks, been on a hiring spree alongside others like M-Kopa.

  • This week's roles also feature two wind technology positions by Siemens Gamesa in Egypt and Vestas in South Africa, a rare occurrence.

  • Click here for the full list of roles …(2 min)

KenGen’s leadership welcomes attendees of the Sustainable Energy Conference at the Olkaria geothermal plant in Kenya

Events

🗓️ Sign up for a webinar on Sierra Leone’s energy access (Sep 23)

🗓️ Take part in the Invest In Africa Energy event (Sep 23)

🗓️ Register  to attend the  infrastructure financing summit in Zambia (Oct 28)

Various 

🔌 October marks the launch of Liberia’s first solar energy plant

🔋 Infinity Power’s wind project receives support from law firm DLA Piper

💸 The El-Sewedy family plans to establish a $29 million cold-storage centre

🤝🏻 LONGi partners with CAPP to develop microgrid solutions for Central Africa

Seen on LinkedIn 

Dr Francis Dennig, Climate and Energy Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Energy and Trade, says, “Unlocking investment at scale is critical if we are to accelerate clean energy finance across Africa.”