WeLight, Africa’s largest solar mini-grid operator, is planning a $650 million expansion aimed at accelerating electricity access across the continent, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) identified as its next major growth markets. According to Bloomberg, as reported by BusinessDay, the company intends to increase the number of people it serves tenfold by 2030, expanding beyond its existing operations in Madagascar and Mali into countries with some of the world’s largest electricity access deficits.
Founded in 2018, WeLight currently operates more solar mini-grids than any other company in Africa. Chief Executive Officer Romain de Villeneuve said the company plans to invest approximately $450 million in Nigeria and the DRC, where an estimated 170 million people still lack access to electricity, while a further $200 million will support expansion in Madagascar, Mali, and a fifth African market yet to be announced. The company aims to reach one million electricity connections by 2030, supported by a mix of concessional financing, equity investments, and development funding.
The expansion aligns with the World Bank and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which seeks to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030 through investments in grid and off-grid infrastructure. WeLight recently strengthened its financial position after the International Finance Corporation (IFC) acquired a stake in the business, joining founding shareholders Axian Group, Sagemcom, and Norfund. De Villeneuve noted that dedicated funding programmes such as Nigeria’s DARES initiative and the DRC’s Mwinda Fund are expected to provide a significant portion of the financing required for the next phase of growth.
For Africa’s energy sector, WeLight’s investment underscores the growing role of decentralised renewable energy in addressing the continent’s electricity gap. Analysts say the planned expansion could improve energy access for millions of households and businesses, stimulate rural economic development, and reinforce solar mini-grids as a critical component of Africa’s transition toward reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.
