Click to watchNigerian clean energy startup Rana Energy has secured $3 million in pre-seed funding to scale its AI-driven Clean Energy-as-a-Service platform across Africa. The round includes $500,000 in equity from Techstars and EchoVC Eco, alongside $2.5 million in green debt arranged by Optimum Global and backed by FSDH Asset Management.
Founded in 2023 by engineers Abraham Mohammed and Mubarak Popoola, Rana Energy is building what it calls a Virtual Solar Network (VSN) — a digital utility that aggregates and manages distributed solar and storage assets using artificial intelligence. The platform enables businesses to subscribe to clean energy without upfront costs, while offering predictive maintenance, energy forecasting, and remote asset control.
In just 18 months, Rana has deployed about 1.3 MW of solar and battery systems across Nigeria, achieving 99.9% uptime and cutting energy expenses by up to 30% for its clients. Among its flagship projects is a 5 MW Energy Security and Sustainability Program for the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja.
Rana Energy plans to expand its VSN capacity to 10 MW within the next year, targeting growth in Ghana and Zambia. The company’s long-term vision is to deploy 100 MW of solar infrastructure across Africa by 2028, displacing diesel generators and advancing the continent’s transition to renewable energy.
Rana’s model has already drawn attention from major ecosystem players. The startup was recently selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Class 8, underscoring its growing influence in the region’s clean-tech scene.
Rana’s hybrid financing structure and AI capabilities give it a competitive edge. The company will have to navigate hurdles such as currency volatility, high import tariffs on solar components, and battery supply constraints.
Click to watch
