Investing in energy, real estate and infrastructure that improve people's lives.
SEVENYRDS Africa develops, finances and operates utility-scale solar power and social infrastructure in Zambia and beyond, backed by the German 7YRDS Group.
As of September 2026
Three fields, one approach: bankable, long-term, local.
Utility-scale solar and storage
We develop, finance and own solar plants with long-term power purchase agreements and add battery storage where the grid needs it.
Power solutionsSocial infrastructure
Affordable, safe student accommodation near the University of Zambia, structured as a public-private partnership.
Student housingEnergy for growth
We assess further solar and storage opportunities across Africa and in reconstruction markets.
PipelineKafue and Sesheke
Kafue Solar PV
- Capacity
- 150 MWp
- Location
- Kafue District, Lusaka Province
- Offtaker
- ZESCO, 25-year PPA
Flagship project south of Lusaka. EPC+F contract signed in June 2026.
Sesheke Solar PV
- Capacity
- ~100 MW
- Location
- Sesheke District, Western Province
- Offtaker
- ZESCO
New generation capacity for Zambia's Western Province, with a battery storage option.
German planning and construction expertise, a local team in Lusaka.
SEVENYRDS Africa Limited is a subsidiary of 7YRDS Group GmbH, an owner-managed group founded in 2008 and headquartered in Goch, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Working on energy in Africa?
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An economy that depends on hydropower
Zambia's economy depends on hydropower. The 2024 drought showed what that means: load-shedding for households, mines and businesses. Solar power diversifies the energy mix and reduces that exposure.
More than 80 % of Zambia's electricity comes from hydropower. The government aims to reach 10 GW of generation capacity by 2030.
We build and own assets for the long term. Our projects are structured to be bankable, to meet international environmental and social standards, and to create local jobs.
How we work
Partnership with local institutions
We work with ZESCO, ministries, universities and communities at the project sites.
Long-term ownership
We develop projects to own and operate them, not to trade them.
Transparency towards financiers
Clear structures, complete documentation and a single point of contact for lenders and insurers.
Local employment
Our team is based in Lusaka. Construction and operation create jobs in the project regions.
German planning and construction expertise, a local team in Lusaka.
The group plans and builds energy and real estate assets in Germany through 7YRDS Energy and 7YRDS Bau. In Zambia, our Lusaka team leads development, permitting and stakeholder relations.
Local market knowledge, backed by a German group.
Our team combines local market knowledge in Zambia with the engineering, legal and financing expertise of a German group.
Board of Directors
Bibusa Washington Wissemann
Leads project development and relations with ZESCO, ministries and financiers. More than ten years in business development in Africa and Europe. Previously Managing Director Zambia of Africa GreenTec AG and founder of SensXAfrica, with projects for UNIDO and FAO.
Philip Janssen
Founded the 7YRDS Group in 2008. Responsible for corporate development, construction, technology and investments. Previously with PwC Business Recovery Services and managing director of a Fraunhofer IT spin-off. Diplom-Kaufmann, European Business School.
Noah Mewes
With the 7YRDS Group for around ten years and Managing Director since 2023, responsible for investment, finance and sales. Previously worked as a self-employed project manager.
Team and group functions
Stacey Tinenenji Banda
Coordinates permitting, grid connection, insurance and financing workstreams for Kafue and Sesheke and supports the UNZA student housing PPP. BSc in Actuarial Science, University of Zambia.
Dr. Michael Krömker
Corporate and M&A lawyer with more than 20 years in cross-border transactions in energy and infrastructure. Leads the contract framework (PPA, Implementation Agreement, EPC) and new markets. Former partner at Pinsent Masons, Dentons and Luther. Dr. iur., University of Cologne. Executive MBA (Mannheim/Tongji).
LinkedIn7YRDS Group, Goch, Germany
SEVENYRDS Africa Limited is a subsidiary of 7YRDS Group GmbH, a German, owner-managed group founded in 2008 and headquartered in Goch, North Rhine-Westphalia.
As of September 2026
Group management
- Philip Janssen
- Corporate development, construction, technology and investments
- Noah Mewes
- Investment, finance and sales
- Christiane Helm
- Finance and controlling, organisation and human resources
What the group does
Planning and construction, turnkey new build and refurbishment, own portfolio and project development, property management, self-storage.
Green electricity and gas supply, tenant electricity, contracting, planning, construction and maintenance of PV plants, own PV portfolio, e-mobility.
Security services, control centre, security technology, training academy, textile care and decontamination of protective equipment.
Parking management at eleven airports and hotels on the Lower Rhine.
For us, sustainability is not a report. It is what we build.
Solar plants, storage and housing that last for decades.
In the group
Own solar PV portfolio, tenant electricity, energy contracting and charging infrastructure in Germany. Decontamination of protective equipment with a CO₂-based process. ESG strategy is a management responsibility.
In Africa
Environmental and social impact assessment for every project. A governance and ESG framework in line with lender requirements. Assessment of Zambia's carbon feed-in premium programme for Sesheke.
Working with the people at our sites
Landowners in Sesheke, the University of Zambia and local suppliers are part of our projects. We are exploring a CSR partnership to support education and skills in the project regions.
From site to switch-on.
We take projects from land acquisition and permitting through financial close to decades of operation.
Project lifecycle
- Site and permitsLand, surveys, environmental and social impact assessment, licences
- ContractsPower purchase agreement and Implementation Agreement with the government
- FinancingSenior debt, equity, export credit insurance, security package
- ConstructionEPC contractor, owner's engineer, independent engineer
- OperationO&M over 25 years under a build-own-operate-transfer model
Develop, finance, own, operate
We secure sites and permits, negotiate the PPA and the Implementation Agreement, structure the financing and operate the plant under a 25-year BOT model.
Reference: Kafue Solar PV, 150 MWp
Construction and interface management
We tender and manage our EPC partners, act as owner's engineer, run quality assurance and manage the interfaces with the independent engineer and the O&M contractor.
In Germany, the group plans and builds with its own teams at 7YRDS Energy and 7YRDS Bau. In Zambia, construction is carried out by our EPC contractors.
Battery storage for grid stability
Battery storage stabilises the grid and shifts solar power into the evening peak. We develop hybrid PV and storage concepts, including a 70 MW solar and 80 MW storage concept and a storage option for Sesheke.
Approximate locations. Map data: Natural Earth.
Kafue Solar PV
- Capacity
- 150 MWp
- Region
- Lusaka Province, Zambia
Sesheke Solar PV
- Capacity
- ~100 MW
- Region
- Western Province, Zambia
UNZA Student Housing
- Type
- Student accommodation, PPP
- Region
- Lusaka, Zambia
Middle East Reconstruction
- Concept
- 70 MW PV + 80 MW BESS
Pipeline
Markets under assessment across Africa.
Kafue Solar PV
Kafue Solar PV is a 150 MWp utility-scale solar plant in Kafue District, south of Lusaka. The electricity will be sold to ZESCO under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
Site todayProject boundary
Key data
- Installed capacity
- 150 MWp DC
- Location
- Chanyanya area, Kafue District, Lusaka Province
- Site area
- ~151 ha
- Offtaker
- ZESCO, power purchase agreement over 25 years
- Project model
- Build, own, operate, transfer
- Government support
- Implementation Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Zambia
- EPC
- CEEC and Jiang Nan, EPC+F contract of June 2026
- Modules
- 238,140 × 630 W
- Grid connection
- 132 kV, route under review
As of September 2026
Timeline
- 2024Environmental and social impact assessment
- SignedPPA with ZESCO and Implementation Agreement
- June 2026EPC+F contract with CEEC and Jiang Nan
- NextFinancial close
- PlannedStart of construction
- PlannedGrid connection
- PlannedCommercial operation
- 25 yearsOperation under the PPA
Expected annual generation
Expected annual generation and households supplied will be published with the financial close.
Sesheke Solar PV
Sesheke Solar PV will bring new generation capacity to Zambia's Western Province.
Site todayProject boundary
Key data
- Capacity
- ~100 MW
- Location
- Zambezi Sawmill area, Sesheke District, Western Province
- Site area
- ~122 ha, survey confirmed
- Offtaker
- ZESCO, PPA extension in discussion
- Project company
- Dedicated project company, sister company of SEVENYRDS Africa
- Grid connection
- 66 kV or 220 kV, options under review
- Distance to Sesheke
- ~9 km
- Distance to Katima Mulilo
- ~13 km
- Option
- Battery storage
As of September 2026
Status
- June 2026Environmental and social impact study
- August 2026Land survey confirmed by the National Remote Sensing Department
- In progressTitle deed and PPA extension
- After KafueGrid connection study
Middle East Reconstruction
Energy is the foundation of reconstruction. We have completed a feasibility study for a 70 MW solar park with 80 MW of battery storage.
- Concept
- 70 MW PV + 80 MW battery storage
- Sites
- Four potential sites identified
- Partner
- Local engineering firm
- Status
- Feasibility completed, support through German instruments under review
Country, partners and sites will be published after approval.
Markets under assessment
We are assessing further solar and storage opportunities across Africa and welcome approaches from landowners, developers and public institutions.
Criteria for new projects
- Creditworthy offtaker
- Grid connection
- Legal framework for independent power producers
- Bankability
Under assessment
Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique, Senegal and further countries in southern Africa.
UNZA Student Housing
Affordable, safe student accommodation close to campus. Together with the University of Zambia, we are planning a residential scheme in Lusaka.
- Location
- Near the University of Zambia, Lusaka
- Structure
- Public-private partnership
- Planning
- Together with the UNZA faculty
- Status
- Concept, feasibility and cost estimate under review
We work with public institutions, development partners and experienced engineering contractors.
Contract partners
ZESCO Limited
National utility and offtaker under the power purchase agreements for Kafue and Sesheke.
Government of the Republic of Zambia
Party to the Implementation Agreement for Kafue.
CEEC
EPC+F contractor for Kafue Solar PV.
Jiang Nan
EPC+F contractor for Kafue Solar PV.
Institutions and programmes
UNDP
Support with the O&M and independent engineer tenders.
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment
Carbon feed-in premium programme.
University of Zambia
Partner for the student housing project.
Lusaka office
SEVENYRDS Africa Limited9th Floor, Sunshare Tower
Katima Mulilo Road
10101 Lusaka, Zambia
Group headquarters
7YRDS Group GmbHVon-Monschaw-Straße 12a
47574 Goch, Germany
Work with us in Lusaka
We are building a team for project development, engineering and operations in Zambia. There are no open positions at the moment. Send us an unsolicited application via the contact form.
Imprint
SEVENYRDS AFRICA LIMITED
- Legal form
- Private company limited by shares (Zambia)
- Registered office
- 9th Floor, Sunshare Tower, Katima Mulilo Road, Central Business District, Lusaka, Zambia
- Registration
- Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), No. 120251028090
- Directors
- Philip Janssen, Noah Mewes, Bibusa Washington Wissemann
- info.africa@7yrds.com
Parent company
- Company
- 7YRDS Group GmbH
- Address
- Von-Monschaw-Straße 12a, 47574 Goch, Germany
- Register
- Amtsgericht Kleve, HRB 13101
- Managing directors
- Philip Janssen, Christiane Helm, Noah Mewes
Privacy
This notice explains how we process personal data under the Zambian Data Protection Act 2021 and the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
1. Controller
SEVENYRDS AFRICA LIMITED, 9th Floor, Sunshare Tower, Katima Mulilo Road, Lusaka, Zambia. Email: info.africa@7yrds.com.
2. Visiting this website
When you open this website, our hosting provider automatically processes technical data that your browser sends: IP address, date and time, page requested, referrer, browser and operating system. We need this data to deliver the website and to keep it secure. The logs are deleted after a short period unless they are needed to investigate an attack. Legal basis: our legitimate interest in a secure and working website (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, Data Protection Act 2021 of Zambia).
3. Contact form and email
If you contact us through the form or by email, we process your name, organisation, email address, topic and message in order to answer your enquiry. The form sends your message by email to info.africa@7yrds.com. We keep your details for as long as needed to handle your enquiry and delete them afterwards unless statutory retention periods apply. Legal basis: steps prior to a contract or our legitimate interest in answering enquiries (Art. 6(1)(b) and (f) GDPR).
4. Recipients and transfers
Your data may be shared within the 7YRDS Group, in particular with 7YRDS Group GmbH, Goch, Germany, where this is needed to answer your enquiry. Service providers for hosting and email process data on our behalf. Transfers between Zambia and the European Union take place only within these purposes and with appropriate safeguards.
5. Cookies and tracking
This website does not use cookies, analytics or tracking tools. Fonts are loaded from our own server. No data is sent to third parties when the page loads.
6. Your rights
You have the right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability and to object to processing. You can contact us at any time at info.africa@7yrds.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in Zambia the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, in Germany for example the data protection authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LDI NRW).
Status: September 2026