Africa-focused energy firm sets up Abu Dhabi headquarters

17 March 2025

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) has signed a strategic agreement with pan-African distributed renewable energy firm, Ignite Energy Access, to establish its global headquarters in the UAE capital.

According to ADIO, the partnership will enable Ignite to scale its operations across Africa.

Ignite has catered to close to 23,000 villages and connected over 600,000 households, directly impacting 3.8 million people, according to its website.

The off-grid solar market in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to reach $1.75bn this year, with over 60 million systems expected to be deployed.

ADIO said it will support Ignite Energy Access in scaling its operations and expanding its regional and global footprint while "reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for clean energy innovation".

Ignite Energy Access utilises a proprietary technology platform to develop, deploy and operate distributed solar solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, with a mission to connect 100 million people across the continent to clean, sustainable electricity by 2030.

The firm specialises in providing solar home systems, solar-powered irrigation and hybrid solar inverters, and commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects.

It also deploys solar-powered digital connectivity solutions to provide internet access to remote communities for the first time.

Ignite Energy Access will also introduce its advanced solar technologies and expertise to the UAE, where the company will deploy standalone off-grid solar projects for use in rural communities, sustainable farming and eco-friendly transportation and construction.

Ignite’s relocation is expected to generate over 200 high-skilled jobs in Abu Dhabi across technology, finance and supply chain roles, said ADIO.

The company has also committed to a comprehensive knowledge transfer programme, collaborating with leading Abu Dhabi-based universities to develop local expertise through internships, specialist training and industry partnerships.

It will also work with Abu Dhabi’s broader renewable energy sector, building on previous engagements with the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy (Masdar) to support the emirate’s energy transition goals.

Irena previously won the Irena Award and the Zayed Sustainability Prize at Cop28 held in the UAE.

Yariv Cohen founded Ignite Access in 2014. Former Acwa Power CEO Paddy Padmanathan joined the firm's advisory board last year.

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Jennifer Aguinaldo
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