Updated August 2026 to reflect new developments, projects and investment activity across Africa.
Sanjeev Mansotra, Chairman of Planet One Group, is involved in a diversified portfolio of projects across Africa spanning renewable energy, agriculture, mining, education and other development-focused sectors.
Planet One Group presents sustainability and long-term development as important elements of its strategy, while its activities also reflect a broader trend across African markets: private capital increasingly intersects with public-sector priorities, infrastructure needs, energy access and industrial development.
Several Planet One-linked projects are supported by government agencies, development finance institutions and public-sector partners, providing useful examples of how private investment can contribute to Africa’s development agenda.
Sanjeev Mansotra and Planet One Group
Sanjeev Mansotra is Chairman of Planet One Group, a diversified business group with activities across sectors including education, agriculture, renewable energy and natural resources. [1]
The group’s portfolio reflects the growing role of private investors in sectors that are critical to Africa’s long-term economic development.
Energy, agriculture, minerals and education are closely interconnected. Reliable electricity supports businesses and public services, agricultural investment can improve productivity and food security, critical minerals are important to the global energy transition, and education strengthens the skills base required for economic growth.
Agriculture and Training in Togo
One of Planet One’s documented agricultural initiatives is in Tindjassi, Togo.
In January 2025, the Togolese Council of Ministers authorised a public-private partnership with Planet One Agro Ventures Togo for the development of an agricultural services and training centre in the Mô prefecture. [2]
According to the Togolese government, the project is intended to strengthen agricultural training and services through:
- new agricultural infrastructure;
- equipment;
- curriculum development;
- training of trainers;
- technical assistance. [2]
The project is also intended to incorporate environmental protection, climate-change adaptation and improved agricultural management. [2]
For Togo, the initiative forms part of a broader effort to modernise agricultural production and strengthen technical capacity.
Planet Solar in Sierra Leone
Renewable energy is another important part of Planet One’s African portfolio.
Planet One is involved, alongside Frontier Energy, in the development of the 50 MW Planet Solar photovoltaic project in Sierra Leone.
British International Investment, FMO and Proparco, together with Frontier Energy, announced more than US$52 million in financing for the project. [3][4]
| Planet Solar | Project Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Planned capacity | 50 MW |
| Technology | Solar photovoltaic |
| Developers | Frontier Energy and Planet One |
| Financing announced | More than US$52 million |
| Development finance institutions | BII, FMO and Proparco |
British International Investment describes Planet Solar as Sierra Leone’s first large-scale grid-connected solar independent power project and expects it to make a significant contribution to electricity supply. [3]
FMO states that the project is being developed across several locations and is intended to help address the gap between electricity demand and supply in Sierra Leone. [5]
Why Energy Investment Matters
Electricity investment has significance beyond the energy sector itself.
Reliable power supports manufacturing, digital services, healthcare, education and broader business activity. In many African markets, limited access to reliable electricity remains a major constraint on investment and productivity.
Projects such as Planet Solar therefore illustrate the role that private capital and development finance institutions can play in expanding energy infrastructure.
Graphite Development in Tanzania
Planet One has also expanded its involvement in minerals linked to the energy transition.
On 30 March 2026, Tanzania’s State Mining Corporation, STAMICO, signed a joint venture agreement with Planet One Natural Resources Holdings to develop three graphite mining licences in Mirerani, Manyara Region. [6]
Graphite is an important input for lithium-ion battery anodes and is therefore relevant to electric vehicles, battery storage and other clean-energy technologies.
STAMICO said the project is expected to support employment and economic opportunities for surrounding communities. [6]
Critical Minerals and Africa’s Energy Transition
Africa holds substantial reserves of minerals required for the global energy transition, including graphite, cobalt and manganese.
The opportunity for African economies extends beyond extraction. Greater long-term value can come from local processing, infrastructure development, skills creation and integration into international battery and clean-energy supply chains.
For investors and governments, this increases the importance of responsible project development, local participation and environmental management.
Oil and Gas Activities in Ghana
Planet One’s portfolio also includes conventional energy.
Ghana’s Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has reported Planet One Oil and Gas’s participation in the Deepwater Cape Three Points petroleum block through agreements involving GOIL Upstream Ghana. [7]
This demonstrates the breadth of Planet One’s energy exposure across both renewable and conventional energy sectors.
The combination is not unusual among diversified energy and natural-resource groups, particularly in markets where governments are trying to expand energy access while also attracting investment into emerging renewable-energy systems.
Environmental and Social Management
Sustainability in large-scale investment projects extends beyond the type of energy produced or the sector in which a project operates.
FMO’s documentation for Planet Solar refers to areas including stakeholder engagement, livelihood restoration, community development and gender-based violence prevention and response. [5]
These requirements illustrate the wider ESG considerations increasingly applied to infrastructure and development-finance projects.
For mining and natural-resource investments, similar considerations include water management, rehabilitation, biodiversity, local employment and community engagement.
Education and Social Development
Sanjeev Mansotra’s activities also extend into education and social development through the Sanjeev Mansotra Foundation.
In Tanzania, the Foundation announced a programme to renovate and expand four public schools in Dodoma. [8]
Reported improvements include classrooms, laboratories, libraries and other educational infrastructure.
Education investment can support long-term economic development by strengthening skills, employability and human capital.
Scholarships for Young Women
The Foundation has also supported tertiary-education opportunities for young women.
In 2026, it entered a scholarship partnership with Drive to Inspire – Africa aimed at supporting more than 20 young women through university education. [9]
The initiative included engagement with the University of Ghana’s Financial Aid Office.
Programmes of this kind can help reduce financial barriers to higher education and broaden access to professional opportunities.
Private Investment and Development in Africa
Planet One’s activities illustrate a broader trend across African markets: private investors are increasingly participating in sectors traditionally associated with public development policy.
Renewable energy, agriculture, critical minerals, education and infrastructure all require large amounts of long-term capital.
The strongest investment models are often those that combine private capital with government partnerships, development finance and clear local economic benefits.
The Role of Development Finance
Development finance institutions can be particularly important in markets where purely commercial investors may perceive higher levels of risk.
Institutions such as BII, FMO and Proparco can provide financing while also introducing environmental, social and governance requirements.
The Planet Solar project demonstrates how this model can bring together private developers and international development capital.
Sustainability as a Business Strategy
Planet One’s African portfolio shows how sustainability increasingly intersects with mainstream business strategy.
Energy, agriculture, mining and education are connected through infrastructure, skills, technology and access to capital.
For diversified investors, the challenge is to ensure that commercial growth is supported by responsible environmental management, transparent governance and measurable community benefits.
Why Project-Level Disclosure Matters
As African projects attract more international capital, transparency is becoming increasingly important.
Project-level disclosure can help investors, governments and communities evaluate:
- environmental management;
- local employment;
- community participation;
- water use;
- rehabilitation;
- infrastructure outcomes;
- skills development;
- long-term economic value.
Clear reporting can also help investors assess whether sustainability objectives are translating into measurable outcomes.
Outlook
Africa continues to require significant investment across energy, agriculture, education, infrastructure and industrial development.
Private investors and diversified business groups can play an important role in meeting that demand, particularly when projects are structured with credible government and development-finance partners.
Planet One’s projects in Togo, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Ghana provide examples of how private investment can participate in different parts of Africa’s development agenda.
Their long-term value will depend on execution, transparency, responsible environmental management and the extent to which projects create durable economic benefits for local markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sanjeev Mansotra?
Sanjeev Mansotra is Chairman of Planet One Group, a diversified business group involved in sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, education and natural resources. [1]
What renewable-energy project is Planet One involved in?
Planet One is involved with Frontier Energy in the 50 MW Planet Solar project in Sierra Leone, supported by development finance institutions including BII, FMO and Proparco. [3][4]
What agriculture project is Planet One developing in Togo?
Planet One Agro Ventures Togo is involved in a public-private partnership to develop an agricultural services and training centre in Tindjassi. [2]
Is Planet One active in mining?
Yes. Planet One Natural Resources Holdings signed a joint venture with Tanzania’s STAMICO in 2026 to develop three graphite mining licences in Mirerani, Manyara Region. [6]
What does the Sanjeev Mansotra Foundation do?
Its reported activities include school infrastructure projects in Tanzania and scholarship support for young women pursuing tertiary education in Africa. [8][9]
Sources and Information
[1] Planet One Group. Chairman and group business information.
Planet One Group — Sanjeev Mansotra
[2] Government of Togo. Agricultural services and training centre at Tindjassi in partnership with Planet One Agro Ventures Togo.
Government of Togo — Tindjassi project
[3] British International Investment. Planet Solar — 50 MW solar project in Sierra Leone.
BII — Planet Solar
[4] Proparco. Investment in Planet Solar in Sierra Leone.
Proparco — Planet Solar
[5] FMO. Planet Solar Energy (SL) Limited — project and environmental and social information.
FMO — Planet Solar Energy
[6] TanzaniaInvest / STAMICO. Tanzania’s State Mining Corporation signed a joint venture agreement with Planet One Natural Resources Holdings on 30 March 2026 to develop three graphite licences in Mirerani, Manyara Region.
TanzaniaInvest — STAMICO and Planet One graphite agreement
[7] Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Oil and gas reporting covering Planet One Oil and Gas participation in Deepwater Cape Three Points.
GHEITI
[8] The Citizen, Tanzania. Sanjeev Mansotra Foundation education programme in Tanzania.
Education programme coverage
[9] MyJoyOnline. Sanjeev Mansotra Foundation scholarship programme for young women.
Scholarship programme coverage
Original contributor: Ashutosh Sharma. Substantially revised and updated by AfricaBusiness.com Editorial Team.