Rana Energy, a fast-rising Nigerian clean-energy startup, has secured $3 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate its mission of delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable power across Africa through its AI-driven clean-energy platform.
The round combines $500,000 in equity investment — backed by Techstars, EchoVC Eco, and angel investors including Chinedu Azodoh and Tayo Bamiduro — with a $2.5 million green-debt facility led by Optimum Global and supported by FSDH Asset Management.
Powering Africa’s Energy Transition
Founded in Lagos, Rana Energy is building what it calls a “Virtual Solar Network” (VSN) — a digital utility platform that connects, monitors, and optimises distributed solar-and-battery systems for commercial and community users.
The company’s subscription-based model allows customers to access clean energy without any upfront capital, reducing their dependence on costly diesel generators and unreliable grid power.
So far, Rana has deployed more than 1.3 MW of solar capacity, achieving 99.9 % uptime for its customers while cutting energy costs by up to 30 %. With the new capital, it plans to scale to 10 MW within 12 months, expanding into Ghana and Zambia as part of its next growth phase.
Backing Innovation in Clean Energy
“This funding marks a significant step toward our goal of democratizing access to clean energy,” said a Rana Energy spokesperson. “By blending AI, data analytics, and flexible green finance, we’re enabling African businesses to transition from diesel to solar faster and more affordably than ever before.”
Investors see Rana Energy as part of a broader shift toward data-driven energy management in Africa’s renewable space. The company’s model integrates real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and financial transparency — features that help attract institutional investors into what has historically been a fragmented and under-funded sector.
Rana Energy estimates that its network has already helped avoid over 450,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions annually — a figure expected to rise sharply as it expands its asset base.
The startup’s long-term vision is bold: to deploy 1 GW (1,000 MW) of distributed clean-energy capacity by 2030, transforming how African communities and businesses access power.
Analysts say Rana’s success could position it as a blueprint for Africa’s next generation of energy companies, combining sustainability with profitability through innovative technology and finance
