Axian Energy Secures Nordic Grant to Accelerate Renewables Rollout in Africa

Pan-African conglomerate Axian has secured a near-USD 1 million (EUR 852,773) grant for its energy division, Axian Energy, from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) to advance renewable energy development across key African markets.

The funding will support clean energy initiatives in Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, regions where improved access to sustainable power is seen as a catalyst for economic growth and social development.

Axian Energy said the grant will help accelerate projects in markets facing persistent electricity access challenges, enabling the deployment of scalable renewable solutions that can support industrial activity, job creation and improved living standards.

Ambitious capacity targets

The company is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy, targeting a 2 gigawatt (GW) renewable energy portfolio by 2030. Its development pipeline is focused primarily on utility-scale solar power and hydropower projects, complemented by energy storage solutions where grid reliability remains a challenge.

Axian Energy has been steadily expanding its footprint across the continent. In November, the company signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Water of Chad to develop and operate a 100-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar-plus-storage project in Chad, marking a significant entry into Central Africa’s renewable energy market.

Growing presence in Zambia

Earlier, Axian Energy entered the Zambian power sector after acquiring a majority stake in a 54.3-MWp solar photovoltaic plant located in Kafue District, within Lusaka Province. The acquisition aligns with Zambia’s broader push to diversify its energy mix amid hydropower vulnerabilities linked to climate variability.

Strengthening Africa’s clean energy transition

The NORAD-backed grant underscores growing Nordic support for Africa’s energy transition, particularly for projects that combine climate impact with long-term development benefits. For Axian Energy, the funding strengthens its ability to mobilise capital, de-risk early-stage development and accelerate execution across multiple jurisdictions.

As African countries seek to expand electricity access while meeting climate goals, Axian Energy’s growing pipeline positions it as a key private-sector player in delivering scalable, low-carbon power solutions across the continent.