DR Congo's Altech Group Addresses Energy Poverty, Making Clean Energy Accessible to Off-grid Households

Founded in 2013 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Malango Washikala(CEO) and Iongwa Mashangao (COO), Altech Group began with a mission to address severe energy poverty in the DRC, where roughly 90% of the population lacks access to reliable electricity.

Starting with simple solar-powered lanterns sold through an affordable pay-as-you-go model, the company made clean energy accessible to off-grid households and institutions by enabling them to pay in manageable instalments.

This customer-centric, bottom-of-the-pyramid approach helped break down cost barriers and extend clean energy into rural and underserved communities across the country.

Over time, Altech expanded beyond lanterns into a broader range of renewable solutions, including solar home systems, clean cookstoves, and electric motorcycles, addressing both energy and transportation needs in Congolese communities.

The company has built one of the DRC’s largest energy distribution networks, operating across 23 of the country’s 26 provinces, and has sold over 350,000 solar products, impacting the lives of more than 1.7 million people.

To scale this impact, Altech secured more than $18 million in debt financing and grants from partners such as the Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF), Triple Jump, Rabobank, and UNCDF, which fuelled expansion into rural outlets and wider distribution.

Altech’s innovation and rapid expansion have drawn international recognition. In 2023, the Financial Times ranked Altech as the fourth fastest-growing African startup, a distinction highlighting its strong growth trajectory and impact in the clean-energy sector.

With its proven model for bringing renewable energy to last-mile communities and a diversified product portfolio that supports clean cooking, lighting, and mobility, Altech continues to drive sustainable development in the DRC and serve as a leading example of how market-based solutions can address energy poverty at scale.