Global solar energy company establishes a base in Uganda

SOLAR energy company Fenix International said yesterday that it was establishing its global headquarters in Uganda and moving its engineering and technology development centre from San Francisco to there, becoming one of the first international companies to have its base in the East African country.

Fenix International, which is part of global energy group Engie, said the new headquarters would cement its role as a major employer in the region and support its ambitious Pan-African expansion plans.

Fenix currently employs more than 350 people in Uganda, providing off-grid energy to more than 1 million people. By 2020, it plans to employ 2 000 people, more than 500 of whom will be based in Uganda. The Uganda headquarters will support operations in 12 countries around the world, in Eastern, Western and southern Africa, as well as China and the US.

As well as moving senior leadership roles to Uganda, Fenix said it would also invest in expanding specialist technology teams with both hardware and software skills. It said the move would also create entry-level roles and jobs for younger people.

Uganda has the world’s youngest population, with 78 percent under 30, providing a huge pool of talent to empower Fenix’s growth plans. – African News Agency (ANA)