Voice of Energy Leaders: Edward Kinyanjui

In this edition of Voice of Energy Leaders, we feature Edward Kinyanjui Mworia, MD of Plexus Energy Ltd—one of Kenya’s rising EPC firms advancing clean energy across East Africa. With a background in accounting and telecoms, Edward founded Plexus in 2010 to tackle the energy gaps he witnessed firsthand. Today, the company stands out for its solar and battery solutions deployed across commercial, residential, and institutional sectors.

In this interview, Edward unpacks the sector’s most pressing challenges—from high financing costs to policy instability—and shares how Plexus is navigating them through innovation, regional expansion, and strategic partnerships. He also reflects on his personal journey, his passion for mentorship, and the critical role of governance in unlocking Africa’s energy future.

Briefly introduce your company (origin, footprint, focus).

Edward Kinyanjui: Plexus Energy Ltd is a Kenyan-founded renewable energy company established in 2010. Originating from a background in telecommunications, the founding team recognized the critical need for reliable, affordable energy across underserved communities and commercial sectors. Today, Plexus has built a solid national footprint as a licensed solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) firm, with successful installations for banks, telecoms, high-end residences, and learning institutions. Our focus lies in designing, supplying, and maintaining solar hybrid systems, lithium-ion battery storage solutions, and clean power backup systems—empowering both rural and urban clients with sustainable energy independence.

Share your company’s biggest achievement in the past 12 months.

Edward Kinyanjui: In the past 12 months, we have secured exclusive distribution rights for a leading lithium battery brand in Kenya, positioning us as a key player in the country’s transition to reliable energy storage. We established a fully equipped national support, service, and warranty center to ensure rapid deployment and after-sales excellence. Additionally, we were engaged in the engineering works for a 24MW solar utility-scale project in Tanzania, demonstrating our growing regional capabilities and technical expertise in large-scale renewable energy solutions.

Key milestones you aim to achieve in the next 24 months.

Edward Kinyanjui: Over the next 24 months, Plexus Energy Ltd is focused on three critical milestones that will shape our long-term growth trajectory.

First, we are pursuing ISO certification to align our operations with globally recognized standards—an essential step toward reinforcing quality assurance, operational consistency, and trust among stakeholders. Second, we are actively mobilizing capital to execute our new five-year growth strategy, which prioritizes scaling up inventory, accelerating the digitization of internal systems, and strengthening our distribution networks to deepen market penetration. Third, we are preparing for regional expansion beyond Kenya, with targeted entry into high-growth East African markets such as Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, where demand for reliable solar and battery solutions continues to surge. These goals reflect our commitment to operational excellence, sustainable impact, and regional energy access.

Major industry challenges from your perspective.

Edward Kinyanjui: At Plexus Energy Ltd, we see several structural challenges that continue to constrain the sector’s growth potential. Access to Capital remains a persistent barrier, with limited availability of affordable, long-term financing for inventory, infrastructure, and project execution. The high cost of local capital—often upwards of 21% per annum—further restricts the viability of solar solutions, making it difficult to scale impact or pass affordability on to end users. Regulatory unpredictability also weighs heavily on the sector. Shifts in tax regimes and energy policies create uncertainty for investors and hinder long-term planning. On the operational front, logistics and infrastructure constraints, including poor road networks and underdeveloped delivery systems, significantly inflate transportation costs and delay project timelines.

In addition, inefficient customs clearance procedures—particularly for imported components like batteries and inverters—routinely disrupt supply chains and erode customer confidence. Finally, regional political instability and election cycles often dampen investor sentiment and stall progress on energy access initiatives. Collectively, these challenges demand coordinated policy, financial, and infrastructure reforms to unlock the sector’s full potential.

Thoughts on governance improvements to accelerate energy access.

Edward Kinyanjui: Accelerating energy access in East Africa demands focused governance reforms to improve investor confidence, operational efficiency, and public-private collaboration. Establishing stable and predictable policy frameworks is critical to reducing regulatory risk and attracting long-term private capital. At the same time, streamlining approval processes—especially through EPRA, NEMA, and county authorities—can reduce bureaucracy and lower entry barriers. Fiscal incentives, such as VAT exemptions or targeted subsidies on solar components, would also play a vital role in driving affordability and adoption across underserved communities.

Further progress hinges on stronger public-private partnerships, particularly through output-based aid and blended finance structures that can fast-track rural electrification. Decentralized energy planning, led by empowered county governments, ensures solutions are locally tailored and more sustainable. Investment in grid and last-mile infrastructure is equally essential for enabling hybrid and distributed energy systems. Finally, transparent procurement practices and stronger oversight will promote accountability, optimize public spending, and enhance service delivery across the energy landscape.

Biggest threats and opportunities in the energy sector.

Edward Kinyanjui: The energy sector faces several pressing threats that continue to hamper growth and investor confidence. Chief among them are policy and tax volatility, with frequent shifts in VAT rules, import duties, and regulatory frameworks creating uncertainty across the value chain. Access to affordable, long-term financing remains limited, particularly for SMEs and end-users, due to high interest rates and short credit tenures. Grid instability, while driving demand for solar, can hinder hybrid system integration in areas lacking reliable infrastructure. Additionally, the influx of substandard solar products threatens consumer trust and market integrity. Coupled with broader geopolitical and economic instability—including inflation and currency risks—these factors contribute to supply chain disruptions and execution delays.

On the other hand, the sector holds significant promise. The rapid uptake of lithium-based energy storage is unlocking new use cases for backup and hybrid systems. Decentralized energy solutions, including mini-grids and off-grid systems, present scalable, efficient alternatives to grid extension for rural electrification. Meanwhile, digital innovations like PAYGO, remote monitoring, and smart metering are improving access, efficiency, and asset management. The growing availability of climate-aligned capital—from DFIs, impact funds, and blended finance mechanisms—is also easing capital constraints. Finally, regional integration efforts, particularly under the East Africa Power Pool, offer new opportunities for cross-border energy trade and coordinated infrastructure development.

A little about your personal background and journey into the sector.

Edward Kinyanjui: I’m a trained accountant by profession, with early career experience in the telecommunications sector. During that time, I witnessed firsthand how unreliable and unavailable power severely limited network expansion and service delivery, especially in underserved regions. That realization inspired me to pivot into the energy space and find sustainable solutions to power gaps. In 2010, I founded Plexus Energy Ltd, which has since grown into a fully licensed EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) firm delivering solar and battery storage solutions across Kenya. I’m also a father and deeply passionate about green energy, both as a climate solution and a catalyst for social and economic development.

What do you enjoy most and find most challenging about your role?

Edward Kinyanjui: What I enjoy most about my role is creating job opportunities, especially for young talent. I find great fulfillment in mentoring fresh graduates and watching them grow into impactful professionals. I also take pride in contributing to the fight against energy poverty and being part of the broader green revolution that’s shaping a sustainable future.

The most challenging aspect is operating in environments where there are gaps in capital, tools, and technical skills. These limitations often force us to innovate under pressure and find creative ways to deliver value and maintain quality, despite the constraints. But it’s also in these challenges that some of our most meaningful progress is made.