CEI Africa

Established by the German development finance institution KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2021, CEI Africa aims to improve access to energy for rural and peri-urban households and enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation is managed by Triple Jump B.V., Persistent, and GreenMax Capital Group, and operates through two primary funding windows: the Crowdlending Window and the Results-Based Financing (RBF) Component. The Crowdlending Window collaborates with European crowdlending platforms to co-finance green mini-grid developers and off-grid solar companies, offering various investment types combined with technical assistance. The RBF Component provides financing support in the form of connection-based capital expenditure subsidies to privately owned green mini-grid projects, targeting both local and international developers. CEI Africa's impact objectives include increasing access to finance for emerging off-grid energy-access businesses, catalyzing private investments to expand off-grid solutions, and providing increased renewable energy access for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and households. As of December 2023, the foundation has mobilized over USD 26.7 million in private capital, benefiting approximately 850,000 individuals. CEI Africa's geographic reach spans several Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Benin, Madagascar, Mali, Uganda, and Cameroon. The foundation's investment focus encompasses various asset classes, including ESG and impact investing, infrastructure, private equity, and venture capital, with investments ranging from USD 1 million to USD 50 million. CEI Africa's strategic approach involves leveraging donor capital to accelerate access to energy in key subsectors, aiming to bridge the financing gap in the off-grid energy sector and promote sustainable development across the continent.

In its efforts to expand clean energy access, CEI Africa has engaged in several strategic partnerships. In April 2025, the foundation extended its framework agreement with Energise Africa, providing an additional EUR 2.5 million in match funding to co-finance qualified companies in the access to clean energy sector alongside retail investors. This collaboration aims to strengthen Energise Africa's capacity to invest in the African off-grid energy sector by mitigating project risks for private crowd investors and offering technical assistance grants. In July 2025, CEI Africa launched its third Call for Applications under the RBF Component, inviting mini-grid developers operating in Kenya, Mali, Benin, and Sierra Leone to apply for financing support. The RBF Component offers connection-based capital expenditure subsidies to privately owned green mini-grid projects, targeting both local and international developers. Additionally, in December 2023, CEI Africa launched the Smart Outcomes Component, focusing on promoting the productive use of energy by providing outcome-based grants and technical assistance to green mini-grid developers and off-grid enterprises implementing productive use of energy strategies. This initiative aims to incentivize the deployment of productive use of energy at scale, facilitating income-generating activities and contributing to economic growth in developing economies. Through these initiatives and partnerships, CEI Africa continues to play a pivotal role in advancing access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy across Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting the continent's sustainable development goals and addressing energy poverty challenges.

CEI Africa's comprehensive approach to impact management aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. The foundation's efforts contribute to increased renewable energy access for MSMEs and households, fostering economic development and environmental sustainability. By mobilizing private capital and collaborating with various stakeholders, CEI Africa strives to create a sustainable and scalable model for off-grid energy solutions, addressing the unique challenges of energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa and promoting inclusive growth across the region.

Through its strategic initiatives, partnerships, and commitment to sustainable development, CEI Africa continues to make significant strides in enhancing energy access, supporting economic development, and improving livelihoods across Sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation's ongoing efforts reflect a dedicated approach to addressing the continent's energy challenges and contributing to its long-term prosperity and resilience.