Digital Solar Marketplace Targets Counterfeit Products, Expands Clean Energy Access

What the report says

A new digital solar marketplace has been launched in Uganda to help consumers find certified solar suppliers and reduce the risk of buying counterfeit products, according to Nile Post. The platform is intended to connect solar companies, distributors and customers through an online channel for solar products and services, with a particular focus on households, businesses and institutions in off-grid and underserved areas.

At the launch, Managing Director Ivan Masaba said the marketplace is designed to widen access to electricity and support the adoption of cleaner energy while also creating more business opportunities in the solar sector. He said linking buyers to verified suppliers could help strengthen confidence in the market and support the broader growth of Uganda’s renewable energy industry.

The event also featured a partnership announcement with Action for Fundamental Change and Development (AFFCAD), a non-governmental organisation that trains young people in livelihood skills. AFFCAD said the collaboration will help connect graduates of its programme, including those trained in solar installation and repair, to employers and customers through the platform. The organisation said this could open pathways into renewable energy jobs for young people from low-income communities in Kampala and Jinja.

The report adds context by noting that solar power is increasingly important for household lighting in Uganda, especially where grid access remains limited. It cites 2024 census figures showing solar as a significant lighting source, underscoring why digital tools that improve access and trust in the solar market may matter for consumers and industry players alike.