Our Story
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
About Us
Our story began with a vision to bridge the financing gap in the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar sector.
We recognised that many businesses in Africa faced significant barriers to accessing sustainable energy solutions – not just in affordability but in reliability and scalability. Initially, we positioned ourselves as a financial solutions provider, enabling businesses to transition to solar with innovative funding models.
However, as the energy landscape evolved, so did we.
Today, Solarise Africa has grown beyond finance to become a full-spectrum energy company. Our ambition is to lead the decentralised energy revolution in Africa, providing integrated solutions that not only generate renewable energy but also optimise energy consumption and making clean, decentralised power accessible to businesses. We are rapidly expanding our Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) capabilities, ensuring that our clients have access to holistic, intelligent, and cost-saving energy solutions tailored to their needs.
Milestones That Define Our Growth
Our journey has been defined by strategic growth, technological advancements, and unwavering commitment to sustainability. From pioneering innovative financing solutions to implementing scalable renewable energy projects, we continue to set new benchmarks for impact and excellence.
From pioneering innovative financing solutions to implementing scalable renewable energy projects, we continue to set new benchmarks for impact and excellence.
Leading with Purpose. Recognised for Impact.
Awards & Recognitions
Solarise Africa is proud to be recognised as a leader in Africa’s clean energy revolution. From global accolades to regional excellence awards, our work continues to set new benchmarks in distributed energy innovation.
Board of Directors
Meet the leaders guiding Solarise Africa’s strategic direction - our Board of Directors brings deep expertise, strong governance, and a shared commitment to sustainable growth across the continent.
Jan Albert Valk
Co-Founder & CEO
Sakkie van Wijk
Co-Founder & COO
Andrew Darge
Board Member/Investor
Vludimir Dugin
Board Member/Investor
Nadia Syed
Board Member
Management Team
Andre du Plessis
Head of Operations
Artem Gurevich
Head of Fundraising
Jonathan Cohen
Head of Finance
Madaleen van der Walt
Head of Marketing & HR
Marcel Malherbe
Head of Business Development: Southern Africa
Moses Banturaki
Head of Business Development: East Africa
Roger Keighley
Head of Credit & Risk
Rest of the Team
Al Ferreira
Project Manager
Albert Wachira
Renewable Energy Engineer
Carolyn Kinuthia
Finance Analyst
Chris Bailey
Business Development Manager
Deborah Ila
Accountant
Jane Tomno
Legal
Kevin Mwangi
Legal
Kobie Nienaber
Operations Manager
Nozi Ndebele
Renewable Energy Engineer
Ruth Matutu
Sales Support Specialist
Winnie Mwangi
Collections Manager
What Sets Us Apart
Solarise Africa stands at the intersection of finance, energy, and relationships – a rare combination that makes us uniquely positioned to serve our clients and investors. Our deep understanding of financing in Africa gives us a competitive edge, allowing us to craft solutions that truly address the needs of businesses. For our customers, we deliver reliability, affordability, and sustainability. For our investors, we offer a prudent, risk-aware approach that ensures long-term value and trust.
Our Vision for The Future
We see a future where we set the benchmark for quality, innovation, and client-centricity. Our success will be measured not just in the scale of our growth but in the impact we create – helping businesses thrive, economies flourish, and Africa transition to a greener, more resilient energy future.
At Solarise Africa, we believe that sustainable energy is the key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential while safeguarding the planet for future generations. Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitment is embedded in everything we do—from the way we design and finance energy solutions to how we engage with communities, partners, and investors.