New Oikocredit loan supports Differ Community Power’s clean energy services for social institutions in Africa

Amersfoort, the Netherlands –Social impact investor Oikocredit has provided a USD 2.5 million loan to support Differ Community Power’s rollout of clean energy solutions to social facilities in Africa, with the European programme GET.invest advising to enhance the company’s finance readiness.

With access to clean and reliable energy essential to save lives and improve health care and other public services, Differ Community Power installs and operates high-quality distributed renewable energy solutions for health, education and humanitarian assistance. With more than 150 sites in 12 countries to date, it will use Oikocredit’s loan to grow its number of electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa and to continue developing additional services for the benefit of communities.

Kjetil Røine, CEO at Differ Community Power, said: “Differ Community Power is thrilled to enter into this loan agreement with Oikocredit. It enables us to deliver on our expansion plans and our R&D efforts to strengthen our provision of reliable energy services to social institutions in Africa. We are grateful that Oikocredit believes in our philosophy and holistic approach and look forward to a long-lasting partnership.”

Henna Savolainen, Senior Investment Officer at Oikocredit, said: “We are proud to engage in this partnership with Differ Community Power, which is impressively growing its position as a leading provider of innovative energy solutions to health and education facilities in Africa. The company’s services create lasting health, social and environmental benefits for many people and for underserved communities, fully aligning with Oikocredit’s aim to strengthen community resilience.”

About Differ Community Power

Founded in 2020, Differ Community Power designs, builds and operates innovative high-quality solar photovoltaic systems for the delivery of critical community services such as health care, education and humanitarian assistance. Working with local partners, it supports its installations with remote management to maintain optimal long-term performance and reliability.

With projects in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Malawi, Nigeria, the Philippines and other countries, Differ Community Power’s complementary services include technical courses and a digital learning platform, water supply and distribution, digital services, and environmentally responsible end-of-life management.

For more information, visit www.dcp.solar.

About GET.invest

GET.invest is a European programme co-funded by the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria that mobilises investment in renewable energy in developing countries. It aims to substantially increase the volume and pace of investment, to contribute to building sustainable energy markets, and to help meet the twin challenge of energy access and climate change by supporting project developers and companies towards investment readiness and linking them with financiers.

For more information, visit www.get-invest.eu.

About Oikocredit

Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has nearly five decades of experience funding organisations active in financial inclusion, agriculture and renewable energy.

Oikocredit’s loans, equity investments and capacity building aim to enable people on low incomes in Africa, Asia, and Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean to improve their living standards sustainably.

Oikocredit finances more than 520 partners, with total outstanding capital of € 1,029.8 million (at September 2024). For more information, visit www.oikocredit.coop.