Humanitarian Energy Plc.

Company Description

Humanitarian Energy Plc (HumEn Plc) is an Ethiopian private company co‑founded by Mercy Corps. It develops and operates solar mini‑grids in refugee camps, providing affordable, reliable, and clean energy. By partnering with NGOs to stimulate demand, HumEn Plc drives business growth, supports households, and scales sustainable energy solutions.

Countries of Operation

Ethiopia

Ownership of Company

Local company

Number of years since incorporated

4

Project Pitch

Humanitarian Energy Plc (HumEn Plc), co‑founded by Mercy Corps and Ethiopian partners, delivers affordable and reliable solar mini‑grid energy to refugee camps in Ethiopia. With proven success in the Somali Region, HumEn is ready to scale to four camps, serving more than 170,000 people.

Solution

HumEn provides clean energy access where traditional infrastructure is absent. By partnering with NGOs and development agencies, the company stimulates demand from households and anchor clients such as schools, clinics, and businesses. This ensures steady revenues while improving health, education, safety, and livelihoods.

Business Model & Operations

HumEn operates on a blended finance model combining grants, equity, and concessional loans. The team has full technical capacity across design, construction, operation, and maintenance of solar mini‑grids, with deep experience in humanitarian energy programs. Demand activation includes supporting small enterprises, strengthening refugee‑led businesses, and promoting e‑cookstoves, driving sustainability and scale.

Our Ask

We invite foundations, DFIs, impact investors, and development agencies to support HumEn in scaling renewable energy services. Capital requirements include $7.1M in grants, $2.2M in equity (12% IRR exit after 10 years), $2.2M in concessional loans, and guarantees to secure power purchase agreements.

Team

Humanitarian Energy Plc (HumEn Plc) was co‑founded by Mercy Corps and Ethiopian partners to deliver clean energy in refugee camps. The company is led by a local management team with deep experience in humanitarian energy programs. The team has strong technical capacity across the full cycle—design, construction, operation, and maintenance of solar mini‑grids—ensuring reliable service in challenging settings. By combining technical expertise with local knowledge, and working closely with NGOs and development agencies, HumEn stimulates demand, supports small enterprises, and scales sustainable energy solutions that benefit both refugees and host communities.

Type of Project

Private company project

Stage

Growth stage

Annual Revenue (in EUR)

10.000 - 50.000 EUR

Number of employees

1-10

Total Project Cost (in EUR)

€9.04 (Euros)

Financing needs (in EUR)

€9.04 (Euros)

Type of financing needed

• Debt
• Equity
• Grant

The Company is looking for

• Financing
• Joint Venture/Partnership

Planned allocation of fundraising capital

Expansion (expanding an existing activity)