Rana Energy Raises $3 Million to Use AI in Powering Nigeria’s Renewable Future
Rana Energy, a Nigerian clean energy startup, has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding to expand its AI-powered platform designed to improve access to renewable energy across Africa. The round was led by Ventures Platform, with participation from Voltron Capital, Oui Capital, and a group of angel investors focused on climate and digital innovation.
The Lagos-based company is building a data-driven platform that leverages artificial intelligence to optimize energy generation, storage, and distribution in regions where electricity supply remains inconsistent. Rana Energy’s model combines solar infrastructure with predictive analytics, allowing communities and businesses to monitor energy usage, reduce costs, and maintain reliable off-grid power.
According to the company, the funding will be used to scale its AI capabilities, expand its engineering team, and deploy pilot projects in rural and peri-urban areas across Nigeria. Rana Energy also plans to invest in partnerships that integrate its technology with existing renewable energy projects and mini-grids.
AI as the Core of Clean Energy Expansion
At the heart of Rana Energy’s platform is an AI engine that forecasts energy demand and supply patterns using real-time data from solar panels and smart meters. This predictive model helps to balance energy loads efficiently and minimize power waste, a major challenge in decentralized energy systems.
By automating how energy is distributed and stored, the company aims to eliminate the inefficiencies that make many renewable projects unsustainable in the long term. Beyond predictive analytics, Rana’s AI tools can also detect faults, recommend system adjustments, and offer remote support to operators managing local grids.
Nigeria’s renewable energy sector has faced repeated obstacles, from unreliable data to a lack of financing for scaling projects. Rana Energy’s use of AI could provide the missing link between generation capacity and efficient delivery, creating smarter systems that can adapt dynamically to local needs.
Scaling Access and Building Sustainable Infrastructure
Rana Energy’s immediate goal is to reach 10,000 households and small businesses by 2026 through its hybrid solar and storage network. The startup also plans to collaborate with state governments and development agencies to integrate its system into community-level electrification projects.
The founders say their long-term vision is to build Africa’s largest clean energy intelligence network, an ecosystem that connects hardware, data, and financing to drive sustainable electrification across the continent.
With energy demand in Africa expected to double by 2040, companies like Rana Energy are positioned to help bridge the supply gap using data-led innovation rather than conventional grid expansion alone. The $3 million investment represents an early but strategic bet on how technology, particularly AI, could redefine clean energy delivery in emerging markets.
