Lightrock Invests $40 Million In Sun King To Expand Off-Grid Solar Access Across Africa And Asia

Lightrock, a global sustainable investment platform, has invested $40 million in Sun King, a leading provider of off-grid solar home systems and energy-efficient appliances that serve households and businesses across Africa and Asia. This new equity funding round will help Sun King accelerate the deployment of solar kits, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa, where access to reliable electricity remains scarce for millions of people.

Sun King has been working for nearly two decades to expand access to modern, clean energy. Its products replace dangerous and polluting energy sources such as kerosene lamps, diesel generators, candles, and wood fires, offering safer and more affordable electricity alternatives. Customers range from individual households needing basic lighting and phone charging to larger installations powering clinics, farms, schools, and commercial facilities.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Kenya, Sun King operates a direct-to-consumer, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model that lowers the financial barriers to solar technology. Under this approach, customers pay over time using flexible mobile payments, which have been key to expanding access to people with limited incomes. The company now operates in 11 African countries, and its products have reached more than 50 million people worldwide, helping reduce dependence on fossil fuels while improving the quality of life in off-grid communities.