Kenya’s Pezesha extends seed round, Solarise gets debt funding
The Pezesha team
Nairobi-based fintech startup Pezesha, which is creating a lending platform for small and medium enterprises, has topped up its seed funding round as it looks to expand in other countries in Africa.
GreenHouse Capital led the fresh capital infusion, adding to the seed funding the startup earlier raised from Consonance and Seedstars.
Pezesha did not disclose the exact amount it raised, saying only that it was a seven-figure sum.
GreenHouse is an African fintech investment fund that counts the unicorn Flutterwave among its portfolio companies.
Pezesha was founded five years ago by Hilda Moraa, who is also the chief executive officer of the venture. It is currently operational in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.
The company is entering Uganda this month and plans further expansion after scooping up the fresh money.
Solarise Africa
Kenya-based energy leasing company Solarise Africa has raised $5.9 million in debt from Swedish impact investment platform Trine to power its growth across the continent.
Founded by Patrik Huber, Jan Albert Valk and Sakkie van Wijk, Solarise Africa had raised $10 million in a Series B funding round last year.
Valk, who is also Solarise’s CEO, said the company will use the money to set up projects and expand market share in countries where it is already operational.
“At the moment, Solarise Africa has operations in Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, and Ghana where several projects have been deployed, and our pipeline continues to expand quickly. We are excited to make our energy-as-as service offering available to more partners so that we can actively drive Africa’s progress together.”
The firm runs an energy leasing business for solar and other energy assets. It focuses on commercial and industrial clients. It provides financing through its partners.
