Uganda, Innovex, Ennos Launch Solar Tech

April 17, 2025

Key Figures & Findings: Uganda’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation has backed a major industrial leap with the launch of Africa’s first locally manufactured IoT-enabled solar pump controller. The collaboration between Kampala-based Innovex and Swiss solar pump manufacturer Ennos AG marks a strategic push for tech-enabled, climate-smart irrigation in East Africa. Minister Monica Musenero hailed the initiative at the official launch event as a milestone for local manufacturing, innovation, and job creation. Innovex, known for its digital energy monitoring solutions, and Ennos, which specializes in solar-powered water pumping, will jointly produce high-value solar pump components domestically, aimed at reducing costs, building export capacity, and advancing energy access.

Insights: The Innovex—en nos partnership targets the production of over 100,000 IoT-enabled solar pump controllers by 2029, aimed at both domestic deployment and regional export. The manufacturing line, now operational, has already generated 30 direct high-skilled jobs, and a fivefold increase is expected by 2028.

Future Implications: If successful, this initiative could trigger a wave of hardware localization across Africa’s renewable energy sector and attract additional investment in climate-tech innovation hubs by 2026. It may also bolster Uganda’s capacity for regional exports in solar water pumping technology within the next three years.