South African solar energy firm SolarSaver and regional counterpart Sedgeley have consolidated under a new holding company, backed by a ZAR 1.8 billion (USD 95 million) investment to accelerate clean energy rollout across Southern Africa.
The merger, which forms the Sedgeley Solar Group (SSG), brings together leading institutional investors, including Inspired Evolution’s Evolution III Fund, and global development finance partners FMO (the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank) and Swedfund International. The investment establishes SSG as one of the largest commercial and industrial (C&I) solar power platforms in Southern Africa.
The funding package includes significant growth equity to support the expansion of capex-free solar solutions for businesses in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. This model allows companies to access reliable solar power without upfront capital costs, helping reduce dependence on unstable grid supply and lowering carbon footprints.
“This new investment marks an exciting milestone in our mission to deliver reliable, affordable clean energy to commercial and industrial clients across the region,” said Tim Frankish, Co-Founder of SolarSaver and Sedgeley.
“Our partnership with world-class investors like Inspired Evolution, FMO, and Swedfund provides both the capital and expertise to accelerate our expansion and deepen our sustainability impact.”
The transaction also marks a successful exit for Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund I, while founding shareholders of SolarSaver and Sedgeley, including RMB Corvest, have reinvested in the new entity, maintaining a strong local ownership base.
Founded in South Africa, SolarSaver has grown into one of the region’s most established C&I solar developers, with a portfolio that includes rooftop, ground-mounted, and hybrid installations. The newly formed Sedgeley Solar Group now manages over 140 MW of installed capacity, positioning it as a key player in the continent’s private-sector-led energy transition.
As African economies seek to expand access to affordable and sustainable power, the consolidation underscores growing investor confidence in the continent’s renewable energy sector. With load-shedding, fuel price volatility, and grid instability driving demand for self-generation, partnerships like SSG’s could help unlock resilient, low-carbon growth across Southern Africa.
