Ethiopia is a remarkable case study in the energy sector. The national power grid is almost entirely powered by renewable energy and already exports clean electricity to neighboring countries. Yet, despite these advances, tens of millions of Ethiopians (in a country of over 120 million people) still lack reliable access to electricity, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas far from the national grid. Solar power, Sun King’s specialty, has not yet reached its full potential in Ethiopia—a situation the company intends to change.
Under this agreement, the Ethiopian Investment Commission has committed to providing comprehensive and expedited support to enable Sun King to establish operations in the country. This includes the rapid issuance of investment approvals and business licenses, as well as direct connections with key public and private sector stakeholders. The U.S. company will establish a local subsidiary and build a team in the capital (covering business, operations, and engineering functions), as well as a network of local agents responsible for deploying and maintaining solar solutions in rural and underserved areas.
Sun King’s investment will enable the large-scale deployment of residential solar systems and everyday products to reach more than 2 million Ethiopian households and businesses. Thanks to its flexible “pay-as-you-go” payment model, developed in partnership with MTN Zambia, families can acquire the equipment for just a few cents a day, paying off their solar kit over 12 to 24 months. This system has already enabled the company to provide $1.57 billion in solar microloans across the continent.
“Ethiopia is a country with extraordinary energy ambitions, and we are proud to be part of its next chapter. With the support of the Ethiopian Investment Commission and the government, we are moving quickly to build our teams, roll out our network, and provide affordable solar solutions to the millions of Ethiopians who deserve reliable access to electricity. “We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the country’s energy future,” said Kota Kojima, Chief Operating Officer of Sun King.
Sun King’s entry into Ethiopia is part of its overall ambition to provide clean and affordable electricity to 200 million Africans by 2030, through the deployment of more than 50 million solar kits across Africa. At the same time, the solar energy expert is significantly expanding its product range, with a solar-powered smartphone costing 40 cents a day, as well as new clean cooking systems and refrigerators.
