Zimbabwean startup NeedEnergy, which develops AI-driven energy platforms for emerging markets, has secured an additional €450,000 ($490,000) investment from the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa). The funding will support the development of Zimbabwe’s first Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and Energy Exchange.
EEP Africa’s investment will empower NeedEnergy to pilot its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) platform in Harare, unlocking the potential of distributed solar resources—such as rooftops and industrial sites—through an AI-driven energy exchange. The initiative aims to transform the local energy landscape by enabling peer-to-peer trading of surplus solar power while addressing critical challenges like load shedding, emissions, and costs.
The pilot is projected to deliver measurable impact: reducing grid outages by up to six hours daily in target areas, displacing 21,800 tons of CO₂ annually by shifting reliance from coal to solar, and cutting energy costs by 40% compared to diesel backups for households and SMEs. By integrating decentralized clean energy into Zimbabwe’s grid, NeedEnergy’s platform could set a replicable model for other emerging markets.
In addition to the €450,000 investment from EEP Africa, NeedEnergy had secured earlier backing from global impact investors. To date, the company has raised $660,000 from Factor(e) Ventures and €400,000 from I&P / Gaia Impact Fund, bringing its total seed funding to $1.59 million.
“These investments demonstrate the strong confidence in our technical ability to deliver this solution to the market and build a sustainable business upon it,” said Leroy T. Nyangani, Founder and CEO of NeedEnergy. “With EEP Africa’s validation, we’re positioned to turn Zimbabwe’s energy crisis into a model for the continent.”
Virtual Power Plant to help address Zim’s energy challenges
Zimbabwe’s crippling daily power cuts cost the economy hundreds of millions annually in lost productivity and forced businesses to rely on expensive diesel generators. This energy crisis demands innovative solutions that can stabilize the grid while making clean power more accessible and affordable.
NeedEnergy’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) tackles these challenges head-on by allowing solar owners to monetize excess energy through virtual net metering without costly infrastructure upgrades. Its AI-driven platform optimizes real-time energy trading and storage distribution, while the system’s inclusive design ensures even households can participate in and benefit from cleaner, more reliable electricity – helping to build a more sustainable energy future for Zimbabwe.
NeedEnergy is expecting to launch its pilot program in Harare during Q3 2025, marking Zimbabwe’s first operational virtual power plant. The initial phase is anticipated to demonstrate the platform’s capabilities in real-world conditions while establishing the foundation for rapid expansion.
Additionally, the company aims to scale the network to incorporate more than 1,500 distributed power generation assets across the country, creating a robust energy trading ecosystem that grows in value with each new participant.
