AI and Solar: Why Financing Is the Missing Piece in Africa’s Clean Energy Puzzle with Dami Olawoye

Episode #171 with Dami Olawoye, CEO of Rivy (formerly Payhippo) and leader in renewable energy financing across Africa.

Dami Olawoye is at the forefront of making clean energy accessible across Africa through Rivy, an AI-powered lender focused on enabling homes and businesses to switch to solar power. With Rivy’s recent rebrand and a $4M pre-Series A funding round, the company is expanding its efforts to provide affordable financing solutions that help Nigerians move away from unreliable grid power and embrace renewable energy. Rivy’s mission is to address one of Africa’s biggest challenges by making solar power more accessible to those who need it most.

In this episode, we explore how Rivy is helping to scale clean energy adoption, the role financing plays in supporting this transition, and how Nigerians can benefit from affordable solar energy. Dami shares his thoughts on the future of clean energy in Africa and the importance of financial solutions in making renewable energy a reality for everyone.

What We Discuss With Dami

• The inspiration behind Rivy’s pivot from SME lending to focusing on renewable energy financing in Africa.
• The role of affordable financing in making solar power accessible to homes and businesses in Nigeria.
• How Rivy is using AI to scale the adoption of clean energy and ensure successful loan repayments.
• The significant impact Rivy is having on reducing CO2 emissions and improving energy access across underserved communities.
• Africa’s clean energy future and the importance of building the financial infrastructure to support widespread solar adoption.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss From Dakar to Abidjan: Investing in Women Entrepreneurs in Francophone Africa? Make sure to check it out!

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Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn - Terser Adamu
Instagram - unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu

Connect with Dami:
LinkedIn - Dami Olawoye
Twitter - @RivyHQ

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