Orb Energy plans to accelerate commercial solar projects in Kenya and neighboring markets, backed by fresh capital from KawiSafi Ventures.

Orb Energy Investment has secured $2 million from KawiSafi Ventures to expand its commercial and industrial (C&I) solar business across East Africa, with the new capital supporting projects in Kenya and other regional markets. Headquartered in Nairobi for its African operations, Orb Energy plans to use the funding to move its growing project pipeline toward construction and deployment.

Orb Energy Targets Growing C&I Solar Demand

Founded in 2006, Orb Energy supplies rooftop as well as ground-mounted solar PV panels, solar-plus-storage systems and financial services to commercial and industrial clients. It is a vertically integrated firm with an in-house solar panel manufacturing plant based in Bengaluru, India.

Orb has established a pipeline of C&I solar projects across East Africa, particularly in Kenya. The latest funding is expected to provide additional capital as projects progress from development and contracting into the construction stage.

The investment comes as businesses across the region seek more reliable and affordable electricity while gradually shifting toward cleaner energy sources.

KawiSafi Backs Africa’s Clean Energy Growth

KawiSafi Ventures made the investment through its second fund, which focuses on energy transition, clean transportation, and green productivity across Africa. The fund builds on the firm’s earlier $67 million clean energy fund launched in 2016.

Its second fund announced $90 million in approved capital in late 2025. The Green Climate Fund and Schmidt Family Foundation are among its anchor investors, alongside funding from Quadrature Climate Foundation.

“KawiSafi sees an opportunity to support the company as it expands its project pipeline and mobilizes additional capital for deployment,” said Amar Inamdar, Managing Director at KawiSafi Ventures.

The investment reflects growing interest in distributed solar solutions that can address commercial power requirements while supporting Africa’s wider energy transition.

Solar Funding Faces a Changing Market

The solar sector funding market has shown mixed signals in 2026. Venture capital funding for solar energy fell by 40% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, dropping to $1.5 billion, down from $2.5 billion for the same period in 2025, according to the 1H & Q2 2026 Solar Funding & M&A report by Mercom.

However, deal activity increased 9% year over year, rising to 35 deals from 32 in 1H 2025. The trend indicates that while total investment values have fallen, investor activity remains active across the solar market.

Recent developments also include a $5 million equity investment received by Sun King’s Zambia subsidiary from Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach Catalyze initiative in September 2026. Such investments highlight continued capital interest in expanding solar access across African markets.

Thus, Business Fortune believes that Orb Energy’s investment can accelerate East Africa’s solar growth while strengthening reliable, affordable clean power access.

Sources: https://mercomcapital.com/orb-energy-secures-2-million-east-africa-solar-expansion/
https://www.mercomindia.com/orb-energy-secures-2-million-east-africa-solar-expansion