John Okoro, co-founder and Managing Director of Growth Energy, a subsidiary of Solio Group, is a key player in Africa’s energy transition. Through its subsidiary Growth Energy, Solio Group deploys innovative solar and hybrid solutions, enabling businesses, industries, and sustainable cities to achieve energy autonomy.
Recently awarded the Provence Africa Connect 2024 – EMERGING Valley Prize in the Export category, John shares his vision of innovation and collaboration between Europe and Africa in this rapidly growing sector.
Q1: How is Growth Energy pioneering on an international scale?
With Growth Energy, Solio Group provides tailor-made energy solutions to businesses and communities, allowing them to break free from power outages and the limitations of unstable grids. Our solar and hybrid self-consumption power plants ensure reliable, continuous, and cost-effective energy, essential for our clients’ growth.
In East Africa, we lead several strategic projects. In Burundi, we are supporting a major telecommunications company in solarizing its telecom sites, reducing its reliance on diesel and ensuring stable connectivity for millions of users, even in rural areas.
In Zanzibar, we contribute to the development of Fumba Town, a sustainable city designed to be energy-independent, powered by the solar and storage infrastructure developed by Growth Energy.
In Bujumbura, we launched the first solar charging station in the region, marking the beginning of a network of charging points designed to make mobility more accessible, economical, and environmentally friendly.
With international expertise and rigorous cost optimization, we are now among the market leaders in East Africa and the only French company in our sector operating in Burundi and Zanzibar.
Q2: How does Growth Energy build bridges between Europe and Africa?
Our strength lies in the synergy between our teams in Europe and Africa. Solio Group’s office in Marseille works closely with our local teams in Kenya, Nigeria, Burundi, and Zanzibar, while we also collaborate with international investors to finance sustainable energy projects.
We have also implemented a training program dedicated to upskilling local personnel. This initiative promotes knowledge transfer and the development of local expertise in renewable energy and decarbonization, which is essential for accelerating Africa’s energy transition.
Our approach is built on three core pillars:
- Innovation and technical expertise to develop robust and sustainable infrastructure
- Structured financing to ensure project accessibility
- Development of local skills to create lasting economic and social impact
By combining these elements, Growth Energy, a subsidiary of Solio Group, plays a key role in building a greener and more resilient energy future between our continents.
Q3: Why was Marseille chosen as Growth Energy’s headquarters?
Marseille is a strategic hub for our international operations. Its position between Europe and Africa facilitates exchanges with our teams, clients, and partners across the continent. The city benefits from a dynamic energy sector, strengthened by:
- A highly efficient logistics infrastructure, including its port and airport
- Concrete initiatives by the metropolitan authorities to support energy transition
- A strong commitment to innovation, research, and development
From Marseille, we efficiently coordinate our projects in Africa while remaining connected to our global network of investors and partners.
Through Growth Energy, Solio Group has established itself as a key player in the renewable energy market, bringing its expertise to the service of a sustainable and accessible energy transition.
Our mission: to provide clean and reliable energy to businesses and communities while strengthening ties between Europe and Africa.
