A loan helped to provide solar electricity to millions of Congolese in one of the least electrified countries on Earth.


Nuru's story

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 80% of the population lives in extreme poverty and more than 85% has no access to energy. The lack of an interconnected electric national grid is a huge barrier to economic development and to the improvement of living conditions in the country.

Nuru is a locally-founded social enterprise with a mission to build and operate solar-based mini-grids in regions of extreme poverty to provide millions of people with reliable and affordable electrical connectivity.

In 2020, Nuru inaugurated one of Africa’s first and largest mini solar power plants in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province, home to marginalized populations due to conflict. The Nuru plant continues to improve the daily living conditions of more than 200,000 direct beneficiaries in Goma as Nuru serves households, local small businesses owners, telecom towers and other utilities. Importantly, Nuru also brought street lights improving neighborhood security.

A loan of $100,000 will contribute to Nuru’s mission to bring reliable and affordable energy to millions of off-grid and remote customers in Goma and other regions. Nuru plans to connect more than 670,000 people and small businesses over the next two years. This is Nuru’s first loan through the Kiva Social Enterprise program.


This loan is special because:

It enables reliable solar electricity to homes, businesses, and utilities in the DRC.



Loan details


Lenders and lending teams




Loan details