British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has provided $15m in mezzanine debt financing to Starsight Energy Africa Group to support the expansion of clean energy solutions for commercial and industrial customers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Benson Adenuga, West Africa regional director and head of office for Nigeria at BII, said reliable and affordable power remains essential for businesses in the country.

“Nigeria’s businesses need dependable and affordable power to grow. Starsight’s commercial and industrial solar solutions help reduce dependence on refined petroleum products and improve reliability. By backing distributed renewable platforms such as Starsight, BII is supporting clean energy expansion in West Africa and demonstrating confidence in the region’s potential for sustainable and inclusive growth,” Adenuga said.

“BII’s mission is to support sustainable socio-economic development in emerging markets. Their decision to partner with us is an endorsement of the role we play in increasing energy access within these markets, delivering affordable, low-carbon solutions while simultaneously uplifting the communities in which we operate,” he said.

The funding will support the growth of Starsight’s clean energy operations in West Africa, with Nigeria expected to receive the majority of the investment. The capital will finance a pipeline of solar energy projects and support service delivery for existing clients, including asset replacement.

Starsight said the investment aligns with BII’s focus on supporting sustainable and inclusive development while advancing infrastructure that supports private sector growth and climate impact across the region.

“Partnering with BII marks a significant milestone for the Starsight Energy Africa Group. This funding strengthens our ability to scale more rapidly in Nigeria and Ghana, delivering reliable, clean energy solutions that support economic growth and improve energy resilience for our clients,” said Paul van Zijl, group CEO at Starsight.

It is estimated that up to 40GW of electricity in Nigeria is generated from diesel and petrol generators. Van Zijl said the funding represents a step toward replacing some of this capacity with renewable energy solutions for commercial and industrial users.

Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner in Lagos, said the investment reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.

“The UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s transition to clean, reliable and affordable energy. By expanding access to dependable renewable power for businesses across Nigeria, this investment will help unlock growth, strengthen energy resilience and reduce dependence on costly and polluting diesel and petrol self-generation,” Baxter said.

Michael Chuchu, group commercial director at Starsight, said the funding will help unlock new capacity in markets where energy stability has been a barrier to growth.

“Nigeria remains our second-largest market and a core focus area for expansion. For our West African customers, this investment demonstrates that Starsight is here to support their operations and provide energy certainty through environmentally responsible solutions. With BII’s support, we are set to pursue the next chapter of our growth journey,” Chuchu said.