Across West Africa, businesses are making a quiet calculation: diesel is no longer sustainable. In Nigeria alone, companies generate an estimated 40GW of power from diesel, a system that is both expensive and unreliable. That dependence is now driving a shift toward alternative energy sources.
Starsight Energy is positioning itself within that transition, securing $15 million in funding from British International Investment to expand solar solutions across Nigeria and Ghana.
The focus is the commercial and industrial sector, companies that need consistent power to operate but cannot depend on national grids. For these businesses, the decision is financial.
Diesel costs fluctuate with fuel prices, require constant maintenance, and introduce operational risk. Solar offers predictable energy supply over time, even if the upfront investment is higher.
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The question is why adoption has not already scaled faster. Barriers remain. Upfront costs, financing access, and integration with existing systems slow down deployment. Many businesses also lack clear data on long-term savings compared to diesel.
This is where companies like Starsight operate, bridging the gap between demand and execution. The funding will support expansion, but the scale remains uncertain. How much capacity will $15 million unlock? And how quickly can adoption move beyond early adopters?
What is clear is the direction of travel. Businesses are no longer waiting for grid improvements. They are building their own energy systems, one contract at a time.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
