Africa’s hydropower sector is rapidly growing, fueled by entrepreneurs who are turning the continent’s water resources into sustainable energy solutions. These founders are designing and executing projects that power communities, support economic growth, and advance Africa’s renewable energy transition.
Here are top 5 African entrepreneurs building hydropower solutions:
— Katai Kachasa (Zambia): Founder and CEO of Lufubu Power Company: Kachasa is developing the 40 MW Lufubu Hydropower Project, providing reliable electricity to Zambia’s national grid and supporting regional development.
— Dan Klinck (Kenya): Co-founder and COO of DC Hydropower Ltd: Klinck focuses on small-scale run-of-river hydropower projects, delivering sustainable energy to off-grid communities across East Africa.
— Anton-Louis Olivier (South Africa): Founder and former CEO of REH Group: Olivier has led the development, ownership, and operation of multiple small hydropower plants in Southern Africa, expanding access to clean energy.
— Brian Kelly (Rwanda): CEO of Anzana: Kelly is actively developing the Ruzizi III Hydropower Project, a 147 MW cross-border initiative powering Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
— Ibrahim Mitoli (Malawi): Founder of UJINJI Invest: Mitoli focuses on community-based small hydropower solutions, bringing renewable energy to rural areas and supporting local economic growth.
These five entrepreneurs demonstrate the impact of visionary leadership in Africa’s hydropower sector. Their work is creating reliable, sustainable electricity while driving socio-economic development across communities.
This list includes founders actively developing hydropower projects with measurable impact. Entrepreneurs were selected based on leadership, project scale, innovation, and contribution to sustainable energy. Data was verified from company announcements, industry reports, and media features as of September 2025.
Image Credit: Vaptech
