Why investing in DRC solar makes the biggest impact

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a country with incredible natural resources and a population of over 100 million people. Yet only 19% of its citizens have access to electricity. In rural areas, this figure drops to just 1%, making it the world’s second largest unelectrified population. 

Covering an area roughly the size of Western Europe (18 times the size of England), the DRC faces huge challenges in expanding its energy grid infrastructure. In many parts, connecting to the national grid is virtually impossible.

This means that, for millions of Congolese families, the only available alternative is usually diesel-powered generators, and this is a short-term solution that’s expensive, unreliable, and environmentally damaging. Generators emit toxic fumes, contribute heavily to carbon emissions, and pose significant health and safety risks. Add to that the fact that families often cannot afford the diesel to run them, and you can see why they aren’t a workable solution.

There is a better solution: solar energy.

Leading the charge in the clean energy transformation in the DRC is Altech, a business founded in 2013 by Congolese-born Washikala Malango and Iongwa Mashangao. It’s a company for Congolese people, with a mission to end energy poverty across the DRC.

Through affordable pay-as-you-go solar home systems, Altech is empowering communities with clean, safe, and reliable electricity. These systems allow families to light their homes, charge devices, and power essential appliances, bringing powerful opportunities for education, health, safety, and economic development.

Altech has already improved the lives of over 2.5 million people who were previously living without electricity access, reducing carbon emissions and replacing toxic fuels with a sustainable and reliable alternative. Their work is creating a lasting environmental and social impact on the second largest unelectrified population in the world.

And their performance speaks for itself; Altech has a proven track record of financial performance and repaying investors on time, making them an excellent investment opportunity for people looking to align their money with their values.

Altech’s latest solar bond offer is now live on Energise Africa. It’s an IFISA bond that targets an 8% return that will help Altech scale its solar distribution even further across the DRC, reaching thousands more families who currently rely on diesel or have no access to power at all.

What makes this offer even more unique is the match funding offered by CEI Africa, meaning for every £100 invested, Altech will receive £150, so your investment goes further and creates even greater impact.

This is a highly impactful investment opportunity because of the sheer size of the population living off-grid, and the potential for impact is unmatched.

Investing in solar energy for the DRC provides families with life-changing clean power, and it also delivers opportunities to rural communities. By bridging the finance gap, you can help Altech bring people a safer, healthier, and brighter future, powered by the sun.

Investments in the latest Altech bond offer start at £50 and investors can earn a potential return of 8%, paid free of tax if held within an IFISA. Thanks to the match funding, the bond offer will close when £334,000 is invested. Visit the profile here.