A subsidiary of Engie the giant of electricity, Fenix International, a major player in solar energy in Africa, has decided to establish its global headquarters in Uganda. Its deployment in Africa will create 2000 jobs, including more than 500 in Uganda, by 2020.
The symbol is strong and it signals Africa’s strategic importance for the renewable energy market. The solar energy company, Fenix International, has just announced the transformation of its headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, into a global base. The transformation will be accompanied by a relocation of management positions from San Francisco to the United States for the Ugandan capital. Fenix specifies that the company will also invest locally in the creation and training of teams specialised in technologies, materials and software.
Fenix International, which currently employs more than 350 people and distributes solar home systems to more than one million people, intends to strengthen its workforce in order to conquer the continental market. By 2020, the company plans to employ 2,000 people, including more than 500 in Uganda.
With its new headquarters, Fenix will not only consolidate its position as one of the leading employers in East Africa, but will also become one of the first international companies to establish its headquarters in the sub-region. Its ambitions for expansion do not stop there as company plans to operate in 12 countries around the world, in East, West and Southern Africa, as well as in China and the United States.
The choice of Uganda, Engie’s will
In 2016, Uganda had a population of 41.49 million. With 78% of the population under 30 years of age, this population is the youngest in the world, and Fenix sees it as a talent pool to carry out its growth program. “We want to play a major role in Uganda’s growing economic ecosystem. The quality of the country’s universities, the government’s renewed willingness and support to do business, make Uganda a fantastic country. A place often underestimated for doing multinational business. We hope that our commitment will encourage other global companies to follow suit.” Said Lyndsay Handler, Managing Director of Fenix International.
Founded in 2009, Fenix International was acquired on October 19, 2017 by Engie, a French energy company ranked among the five largest energy groups in the world. At the time, Bruno Bensasson, Managing Director of Engie Africa, clarified the group’s ambitions as follows: “Fenix will be Engie’s dynamic growth driver for the solar home installation business in Africa; it will enable us to become one of the profitable leaders in the off-grid services markets on the continent, reaching millions of customers by 2020
Fenix International operates mainly in East Africa. After establishing a real presence in Uganda, where it supplies personal solar systems (SHS) to some 140,000 customers, Fenix International has expanded into Zambia. It has entered into a partnership with the telecom company MTN Zambia. The two partners have already provided 150,000 people living in off-grid households with clean and bright light, mobile phone charging and a TV connected to the satellite.
Boris Ngounou
