Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF) [C138]

Africa

The Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF)

Ref. NDF c141

NDF investment: USD 10 million

Project Period: 2022-2033

Fund Manager: Triple Jump

Objective

In 2016, the United Nations enshrined access to energy as one of the universal foundations for sustainable development, underscoring its importance to all societies. The benefits, however, go far beyond electrification, as improved energy access can contribute to many other of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to health, productivity, equality, and the environment. The Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF) is a blended structure fund mandated to invest in early-growth businesses operating in the Access to Energy (A2E) market in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).The Fund Manager of EEGF is Triple Jump, a well-established fund management company with extensive experience in managing investments in the SSA energy sector.

EEGF is designed and structured to provide tailored finance solutions and expert support to privately-held businesses operating in SSA and providing products and services that increase the access to renewable, safe, reliable and affordable energy for off-grid households and businesses. With its innovative investment approach, EEGF has a unique opportunity to contribute to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Outcomes

EEGF addresses the funding gap prevailing in the underserved A2E market in SSA, where financiers currently serve a small number of established players with predominantly senior debt financing and, consequently, early-stage companies lack tailored funding to grow. This funding gap has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. By providing affordable, risk-tolerant and long-term financing, EEGF is ideally positioned to address the urgent need for financing, helping companies to sustain growth, mitigate the impacts of the ongoing crisis and increase operational efficiency, while ensuring sustainable long-term business growth.

Moreover, EEGF seeks to provide a bridge towards bringing in commercial scale-up investors, by focusing on involving such investors in the process and by providing capital that is risk-tolerant and patient.

Financing

NDF has provided USD 10 million, including an Equity contribution of USD 8.5 million to EEGF and a Grant contribution of USD 1.5 million to the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF).

NDF Contact

Program Manager, Isabel Leroux (Isabel.leroux@ndf.int)