Nairobi — Mini-grid company WeLight has connected 186 villages across Africa to electricity, including 172 in Madagascar and 14 in Mali, as part of its rural electrification initiative.

Since January 2024, WeLight has connected 10,000 people monthly, directly electrifying 200,000 individuals and benefiting over one million through improved services such as schools, businesses, and public lighting.

The company's success in Madagascar marks a significant milestone, proving the mini-grid model's scalability and profitability without subsidies, according to WeLight CEO Romain de Villeneuve.

"We are proud to have transformed the lives of one million people through access to electricity. This milestone underscores our leadership in rural electrification and our readiness to expand into new territories, including Nigeria and the DRC," he said.

WeLight also backs initiatives like the World Bank and African Development Bank's M-300 program, aiming to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030, addressing the needs of over 600 million Africans without power.

The firm's growth has been supported by key partners like Norfund, Axian Group, and the European Investment Bank, alongside government agencies fostering public-private collaboration.

This progress positions WeLight as a leading force in sustainable electrification across sub-Saharan Africa.