Acumen

Acumen is a nonprofit organization established in 2001 and based in New York City, with additional offices in Mumbai, Nairobi, Karachi, and Accra. The organization is dedicated to poverty eradication by raising charitable funds to invest in early-stage companies that provide essential services such as clean energy, healthcare, education, agricultural inputs, formal housing, and safe drinking water to low-income communities. Acumen has made significant investments totaling $128 million in 128 companies across 14 countries, impacting the lives of over 308 million individuals. The organization collaborates with notable partners, including the Rockefeller Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Google.org, to address critical challenges faced by underserved populations.

Amon Anderson

Director

Ajit Mahadevan

Country Director

Catherine Nanda

Director, Acumen America

Jacqueline Novogratz

Founder and CEO

Aun Rahman

Country Director Pakistan

Siddharth Tata

Associate Director

Past deals in West Africa

Wami Agro

Seed Round in 2025
Wami Agro is an agri-tech company based in Ghana that collaborates with smallholder farmers to cultivate, aggregate, and market a variety of agricultural products. The company focuses on enhancing the livelihoods of these farmers by offering technology-driven solutions that facilitate access to credit and markets. Wami Agro currently aggregates rice, maize, soya bean, and cassava from over 10,000 smallholder farmers, distributing these products to poultry farmers, fast-moving consumer goods companies, distributors, and food service providers within Ghana. By employing sustainable agricultural practices, such as precision farming, the company aims to improve the well-being of farmers, promote food security, and address climate change challenges.

Easy Solar

Venture Round in 2023
Easy Solar is a prominent energy distribution company focused on providing solar solutions to off-grid communities in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The company offers high-quality solar products, such as solar lanterns and solar home systems, aimed at individuals with limited or no access to traditional electricity. Customers can finance their purchases through affordable payment plans, which include an initial deposit followed by weekly or monthly installments, with payment options available via cash or mobile money. Since its inception, Easy Solar has positively impacted over 400,000 beneficiaries, leveraging a vast network of agents and outlets to ensure accessibility and convenience for its clients.

Winock

Venture Round in 2021
Winock specializes in providing financial services aimed at supporting micro businesses in Nigeria. The company offers various credit options, including solar credit, equipment credit, and cash loans, which enable small entrepreneurs such as barbers, welders, tailors, and kiosk owners to transition to solar power. By facilitating this shift, Winock helps these businesses reduce operational costs and save funds that can be reinvested to foster growth. In addition to its credit services, Winock leverages its expertise in solar energy investment and data analysis to promote economic development and job creation within the African market.

Easy Solar

Series A in 2020
Easy Solar is a prominent energy distribution company focused on providing solar solutions to off-grid communities in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The company offers high-quality solar products, such as solar lanterns and solar home systems, aimed at individuals with limited or no access to traditional electricity. Customers can finance their purchases through affordable payment plans, which include an initial deposit followed by weekly or monthly installments, with payment options available via cash or mobile money. Since its inception, Easy Solar has positively impacted over 400,000 beneficiaries, leveraging a vast network of agents and outlets to ensure accessibility and convenience for its clients.

PowerGen Renewable Energy

Series B in 2019
PowerGen Renewable Energy is a leading provider of energy solutions in East Africa, focused on transforming energy access for residential, community, commercial, government, and industrial customers. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with additional offices in Arusha, Tanzania; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Lagos, Nigeria, the company specializes in the development, construction, and operation of solar mini-grids. PowerGen offers a range of services including engineering, procurement, construction, and financing, ensuring affordable and reliable power for communities that are not connected to national electricity networks. As a pioneer in the solar mini-grid sector, PowerGen is committed to driving the clean energy transition across Africa and is a founding member of the Africa Mini-grid Developers Association, collaborating with various sector leaders to enhance energy access in the region.

PEG

Series C in 2019
PEG is an asset financing company that specializes in providing Pay As You Go solar energy products to off-grid customers in West Africa, particularly in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal. Founded in 2013 by Hugh Whalan and Nate Heller, PEG aims to improve the quality of life for its customers by offering financing for solar home systems. This financing model allows households to transition from expensive and polluting fuel sources, such as kerosene, to sustainable solar energy, which not only enhances their living conditions but also serves as a long-term asset. PEG's solar systems provide access to better lighting, mobile phone charging, and appliances like radios and televisions, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient energy solution for underserved communities. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, PEG is dedicated to promoting renewable energy and improving the standard of living for its customers through innovative financing solutions.

PEG

Series C in 2019
PEG is an asset financing company that specializes in providing Pay As You Go solar energy products to off-grid customers in West Africa, particularly in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal. Founded in 2013 by Hugh Whalan and Nate Heller, PEG aims to improve the quality of life for its customers by offering financing for solar home systems. This financing model allows households to transition from expensive and polluting fuel sources, such as kerosene, to sustainable solar energy, which not only enhances their living conditions but also serves as a long-term asset. PEG's solar systems provide access to better lighting, mobile phone charging, and appliances like radios and televisions, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient energy solution for underserved communities. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, PEG is dedicated to promoting renewable energy and improving the standard of living for its customers through innovative financing solutions.

Easy Solar

Seed Round in 2018
Easy Solar is a prominent energy distribution company focused on providing solar solutions to off-grid communities in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The company offers high-quality solar products, such as solar lanterns and solar home systems, aimed at individuals with limited or no access to traditional electricity. Customers can finance their purchases through affordable payment plans, which include an initial deposit followed by weekly or monthly installments, with payment options available via cash or mobile money. Since its inception, Easy Solar has positively impacted over 400,000 beneficiaries, leveraging a vast network of agents and outlets to ensure accessibility and convenience for its clients.

PEG

Series B in 2017
PEG is an asset financing company that specializes in providing Pay As You Go solar energy products to off-grid customers in West Africa, particularly in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal. Founded in 2013 by Hugh Whalan and Nate Heller, PEG aims to improve the quality of life for its customers by offering financing for solar home systems. This financing model allows households to transition from expensive and polluting fuel sources, such as kerosene, to sustainable solar energy, which not only enhances their living conditions but also serves as a long-term asset. PEG's solar systems provide access to better lighting, mobile phone charging, and appliances like radios and televisions, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient energy solution for underserved communities. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, PEG is dedicated to promoting renewable energy and improving the standard of living for its customers through innovative financing solutions.

Devergy

Seed Round in 2015
Devergy is a social energy utility that focuses on delivering reliable and affordable electricity services to low-income populations in developing countries, particularly in off-grid rural villages. The company operates village-sized energy micro-grids powered by solar energy, allowing households and businesses to access electricity. By utilizing adaptive capacity and regular monitoring, Devergy ensures that its energy services are sustainable and accessible, ultimately enabling communities to benefit from affordable electricity. Based in Ghana, the company aims to improve the quality of life for its customers by providing essential energy solutions.

Paga

Series B in 2015
Paga is a mobile payment company focused on creating a digital ecosystem for money transactions, primarily in Nigeria, where it is recognized as a leading provider in the sector. The company's application facilitates sending and receiving money through mobile devices, making financial services accessible to a broad audience. In addition to transferring funds, Paga's platform allows users to purchase airtime credits, pay bills, and make retail payments, addressing the growing demand for viable payment options. With an ambitious mission to simplify financial access for one billion people, Paga aims to overcome the challenges associated with traditional banking and enhance the overall financial inclusion in its target markets.

Esoko

Debt Financing in 2014
Esoko Networks Limited operates a mobile-based market information exchange tailored for individuals, businesses, and agricultural projects in Africa. Founded in 2007 and based in Accra, Ghana, the platform delivers personalized market price alerts, buy and sell offers, and agricultural advice directly to farmers via SMS. By providing essential information such as market prices, weather forecasts, and growing tips, Esoko aims to enhance agricultural yields and profitability. The company also supports businesses in connecting with farmers, offering apps and services that facilitate marketing, monitoring, and sourcing. Esoko's ecosystem includes content, software, and field support, enabling NGOs, mobile operators, and governments to track market trends and improve communication in rural communities. Through its innovative approach, Esoko aims to promote market transparency and efficiency, transforming African agricultural markets into more viable opportunities for both individuals and businesses while reducing operational costs for organizations.

Esoko

Venture Round in 2014
Esoko Networks Limited operates a mobile-based market information exchange tailored for individuals, businesses, and agricultural projects in Africa. Founded in 2007 and based in Accra, Ghana, the platform delivers personalized market price alerts, buy and sell offers, and agricultural advice directly to farmers via SMS. By providing essential information such as market prices, weather forecasts, and growing tips, Esoko aims to enhance agricultural yields and profitability. The company also supports businesses in connecting with farmers, offering apps and services that facilitate marketing, monitoring, and sourcing. Esoko's ecosystem includes content, software, and field support, enabling NGOs, mobile operators, and governments to track market trends and improve communication in rural communities. Through its innovative approach, Esoko aims to promote market transparency and efficiency, transforming African agricultural markets into more viable opportunities for both individuals and businesses while reducing operational costs for organizations.

Husk Power Systems

Series A in 2012
Husk Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. is a renewable energy company based in Patna, India, that focuses on generating and distributing electricity to households, community services, small businesses, and factories. Founded in 2007, the company utilizes biomass waste—such as rice husks and other agricultural residues—to produce electricity through its proprietary technology. Husk Power Systems designs and operates mini-power plants and micro-grids, offering electricity as a pay-for-use service primarily to rural areas. This approach not only provides reliable lighting, reducing reliance on kerosene, but also fosters economic development by enabling microenterprises and the use of electricity-operated machinery. By creating a sustainable energy ecosystem at each power plant, Husk Power Systems aims to deliver shared value to its stakeholders and stimulate local economies.

Paga

Series A in 2012
Paga is a mobile payment company focused on creating a digital ecosystem for money transactions, primarily in Nigeria, where it is recognized as a leading provider in the sector. The company's application facilitates sending and receiving money through mobile devices, making financial services accessible to a broad audience. In addition to transferring funds, Paga's platform allows users to purchase airtime credits, pay bills, and make retail payments, addressing the growing demand for viable payment options. With an ambitious mission to simplify financial access for one billion people, Paga aims to overcome the challenges associated with traditional banking and enhance the overall financial inclusion in its target markets.

Husk Power Systems

Venture Round in 2010
Husk Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. is a renewable energy company based in Patna, India, that focuses on generating and distributing electricity to households, community services, small businesses, and factories. Founded in 2007, the company utilizes biomass waste—such as rice husks and other agricultural residues—to produce electricity through its proprietary technology. Husk Power Systems designs and operates mini-power plants and micro-grids, offering electricity as a pay-for-use service primarily to rural areas. This approach not only provides reliable lighting, reducing reliance on kerosene, but also fosters economic development by enabling microenterprises and the use of electricity-operated machinery. By creating a sustainable energy ecosystem at each power plant, Husk Power Systems aims to deliver shared value to its stakeholders and stimulate local economies.
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