Solad – Fueling Africa's Growth Potential

Power. Growth. Inclusion.

Investors and operators

We invest in and operate distributed energy solutions in Africa.

Catalytic impact

We serve market segments we believe can have catalytic social and economic impact.

Environmental advocates

We take a clean energy first approach to designing our solutions.

Affordable solutions

We design fit for purpose solutions at price points our customers can afford.

Our Company

Established in 2017, SOLAD is an investor in and operator of distributed energy solutions that deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power to unconnected, or underserved customers across the African continent. We believe that by addressing the energy needs of African households, service providers and businesses in an affordable and sustainable way, we have the potential to deliver unrivaled social, economic and environmental impact on the continent, catalyzing growth and driving inclusion.

Vision

For every African to have access to clean, reliable, and affordable power.

Mission

To build a distributed clean energy network that solves Africa’s power problem, one watt at a time

Our Focus

Our initial focus is on the most under-served segments of the market, market clusters that serve millions of small businesses but which have no centralized power solution, social infrastructure that provides essential social services, but has to generate power privately and ordinary Africans, hundreds of millions of which cannot access affordable electricity.

Market traders

SME’s make up 96% of Nigerian businesses, nearly 50% of GDP and 84% of employment. They consistently reference access to electricity as the single largest obstacle they face.

SOLAD is a participant in the Rural Electrification Agencies Solar Hybrid Mini-grids for Rural Economic Development Programme. We are currently an investor in 3 standalone market focused mini-grids, 10 mini-grids in development through our Vertus JV and the operator of 2 of our mini-grids.

Social infrastructure

Less than 50% of Primary Health Care Centres are on-grid while those that are on-grid average 4 hours of power per day.

SOLAD develops specific solutions for social infrastructure projects, providing reliable and affordable power to some of the continent's most important social institutions. Our initial focus is on powering health centres across Nigeria.

Housing

80 million Nigerians lack access to reliable affordable electricity. SOLAD is a participant in the Rural Electrification Agency's Standalone Solar Home Systems for Households and SME's programme.

SOLAD is a participant in the Rural Electrification Agency's Output Based Fund for Standalone Solar Home Systems for Households and SME's, and is rolling out systems to targeted recipients in Nigeria's South West. You can register your interest for a system by clicking here.

Projects

Ayangburen and Iponri Market Power Projects

SOLAD is an investor, developer and operator of decentralised energy solutions in solar stand alone systems in Ayangburen Market and Iponri Market under the Universal Energy Facility (UEF) Standalone Solar for Productive Use Programme through The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).

Sura Independent Power Project

Solad is a major investor in and operator of Sura Independent Power Limited (SIPL) which was established to provide reliable and regular power to the Sura Shopping Complex on Lagos Island, Lagos State.

Sabon Gari Market Power Project

Solad is the majority investor in the Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi (“Sabon Gari”) International Market electrification project in Kano State, the largest renewable-based micro utility in West Africa.

Ikenne Market Power Project

SOLAD is the core investor in and operator of Strom Energy Solutions, powering Ikenne market in Ogun State.

Our Leadership

The SOLAD leadership team have over 100 years of collective experience, with deep networks across Nigeria and a track record of developing, delivering and exiting projects successfully

Constantine ‘Labi Ogunbiyi Group Non-Executive Chairman

Denis O’Brien Group CEO

Yewande Olagbende CEO Solad

Rob Chepak Group Non-Executive Director

View all

News and Resources

FG unveils $23.2b energy compact, targets $15.5b private investment

February 2, 2025 Industry

Federal Government has unveiled a $23.2 billion National Energy Compact (NEC) aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s energy transition

Nigeria Secures $1.1 Billion AfDB Funding to Power 5 Million People by 2026

January 29, 2025 Industry

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the approval of a $1.1 billion fund from the African Development Bank

Tinubu, other leaders tackle Africa’s energy woes in Tanzania

January 28, 2025 Industry

President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to participate in the Africa Heads

View all

Testimonials

With more than 10,000 market stalls already served by SOLAD energy solutions, we are driving significant impact for our customers. Here is what a few of them have to say:

In January we were 35 now we are close to 50. We can now take on more orders. We wished for this, long for this and now we have 24/7 power. It is like a dream come true.

Mrs B. Ajayi

Garment Business

The money you are meant to spend on expanding your business is going into maintaining and fueling your generator.

Mr W. Adeowo

Food Business

Previously I had to run a small, medium and large generator for my business, which was costly but now we have saved a lot of money with one source which is more affordable.

Mrs E. Emordi

Printing Business

Prior to the power solution, I would spend an average of ₦40,000 buying diesel, servicing, and paying old electricity bills. This has been reduced to an average of ₦40,000 monthly with “less-stress”.

Mr Emmanuel

Baker

Most of the cash we used for maintenance and buying fuel for the generator we have put back into the business and we have more staff now.

Mr A. Michael