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Seeing your impact first-hand in the DRC
A summary of Energise Africa CEO, Ray Coyle's visit to Altech operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo
At Energise Africa, we know that understanding impact starts with seeing it first-hand. That’s why on-the-ground visits with our partner businesses are a crucial part of our mission. Last week, our CEO, Ray Coyle, travelled to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to meet Altech’s team and speak directly with the people whose lives and livelihoods have been transformed thanks to access to clean, reliable solar energy.
Why did we visit the DRC?
Altech has been part of the Energise Africa family since 2017. Earlier this year, Ray had planned to visit their team in Goma, but escalating conflict in the region made the trip unsafe. With senior leadership now largely relocated to Lubumbashi, Ray took the long-awaited opportunity to witness their operations in action and to meet customers whose stories demonstrate, in simple and powerful terms, why Energise Africa does what it does.
Despite ongoing challenges in North Kivu, Altech continues to support its teams and customers in Goma, proving the depth of their commitment to the communities they serve. Witnessing this resilience in person underlines just how vital the support of our investor community is, and how far it stretches.
Everyday impact: light, opportunity and human connection
One of the most inspiring elements of Ray’s trip was the chance to speak with Altech customers (in what he describes as “my poor French and even worse Swahili”) who are benefiting from Altech solar home systems to build brighter futures.
Wivine’s Bakery: lighting up an evening economy
In Lubumbashi, darkness falls at around 6 pm. For Wivine, who runs a small bakery and restaurant, this meant missing out on the entire post-work rush. With solar-powered lighting installed, her business can now stay open into the evening, increasing income and providing a safe, welcoming space for customers on their way home.
Jeannette’s family home: A place to gather
Ray also visited Jeannette, whose extended family now enjoys solar lighting, a TV and battery backup at home. Her living room has become a well-lit and welcoming centre for family life.
These are simple improvements, but ones that provide light, power and safety, and for these customers, it changes everything. And we’re very proud that they are made possible by investors choosing to support businesses like Altech on Energise Africa.
Altech’s ambition: clean energy for a growing economy
Beyond home solar systems, Ray’s visit revealed more about Altech's exciting and ambitious future plans.
Putting more electric taxis on the road
Ray spent a morning with Pierre, a cab driver who drives one of Altech’s electric taxis. Not only does he save significantly on fuel costs, but his Altech EV taxi can carry seven passengers instead of five, so it boosts his income with every trip. Of course, more electric taxis bring the benefit of fewer carbon emissions too, so it’s really a win/win.
Introducing electric motorbike taxis
Travelling to Kolwezi, Ray visited Altech’s new site where, from January, they plan to rent out 500 electric motorbikes to moto-taxi drivers daily. As a motorcyclist himself, Ray was particularly pleased to see that safety is ingrained into the model, with helmets, training and health insurance all included.
A green tech park for Congo
Altech’s CEO, Wahsikala, also showed Ray their ambitious Green Tech Park development in Lubumbashi. Set on a 100m x 20m site (around half the size of a football pitch), the facility will assemble solar kits and clean cookstoves, creating jobs and strengthening local supply chains.
Inside, Ray also met Bijoux, pictured in front of 30,000 clean cookstoves ready to be dispatched and help make households safer and more sustainable and cooking easier and more affordable.
A clear commitment to impact
Back in the UK, Ray has shared these stories from his trip that left him encouraged and inspired and keen to share them with the team and investors. It is great to see Altech scaling business across three important areas: solar home systems, electric vehicles, and clean cooking, all of which increase clean energy access and support economic opportunities in one of the world’s most challenging environments.
What Ray has witnessed are real people, real businesses and real communities benefitting from clean energy solutions every day. And none of it would be possible without investors who believe in creating opportunities where they are most needed.
Energise Africa is proud to partner with Altech and we're pleased to be able to show investors exactly how their support changes lives.