61 - CrossBoundary's Revolutionized The Solar Industry in Africa
CrossBoundary revolutionized solar energy in Africa by proving corporate solar is not just viable—it’s profitable. In this episode, learn how their innovative solar-as-a-service model unlocked the market and powered businesses across 14 countries.
CrossBoundary's Revolutionized The Solar Industry in Africa
How do you turn a $40 million energy bet into Africa’s largest corporate solar provider? The answer lies in vision, strategy, and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom.
When CrossBoundary launched its first solar investment fund, skeptics claimed that corporate Africa wasn’t ready for renewable energy. The barriers seemed insurmountable—high upfront costs, risk-averse businesses, and an underdeveloped financing ecosystem. But instead of accepting these limitations, CrossBoundary redefined the game.
Their breakthrough came with a solar-as-a-service model. Instead of requiring businesses to invest heavily in solar infrastructure, they provided an alternative: companies could access clean, reliable solar power without the burden of upfront costs. This strategy unlocked demand and scaled rapidly, powering major corporations like Unilever and Diageo across 14 African countries.
CrossBoundary didn’t just build a successful business—they pioneered a new market. While others debated the viability of corporate solar in Africa, they were busy proving its profitability. Their story is a lesson in innovation, resilience, and seeing opportunity where others see roadblocks.
So what can we learn from CrossBoundary’s success? Tune in to this episode of Pattern Cognition with Sid Mofya to explore how bold thinking and smart execution are transforming Africa’s energy landscape.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to Africa's Largest Solar Empire
00:07 The Birth of Cross Boundary's Solar Investment Fund
00:24 Innovative Solar as a Service Model
00:29 Lessons from Cross Boundary's Success
00:30 Creating a New Market for Solar Energy
00:34 Proving Solar Viability and Profitability
Links:
Website: https://www.sidmofya.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidmofya/
Transcript:
What turns a 40 million energy bet into Africa's largest solar empire? Here's the cross boundary story. When cross boundary launched their first solar investment fund, critics said corporate Africa wasn't ready for renewable energy, but fast forward to today, they're powering major corporations across 14 African countries from Unilever, Diageo, by solving the upfront cost problem.
With their solar as a service model, they were able to unlock the market others thought impossible. So what do we learn? Crossboundary didn't just build a company, they created an entirely new market. While others debated if Africa's solar was viable, they were busy proving that it was profitable.