AfDB invests US$20m in PE fund

BUSINESS REPORTER

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved an approved an equity investment of US$20m in Evolution Fund III, a pan-African clean and sustainable energy private equity fund that is mobilising about US$400m into renewable energy and resource-efficiency assets across sub-Saharan Africa.

Inspired Evolution Investment Management is a well-established fund manager with more than 15 years of experience and a track record of deploying more than US$310m in renewable energy projects in African counties.

The fund manager, through its predecessor funds, has delivered 21 renewable energy projects with a total generation capacity of 2 GW.

EVIII aims to broaden geographic and technology scope to incorporate North Africa as well as several SSA countries and decentralised energy business models as the key climate mitigation and energy transition, AfDB said in a statement.

The Bank’s support will contribute to an additional 2,162MW of installed renewable power generation capacity, 1.8 million tons of CO2 emission savings, and a green and sustainable growth across Africa by creating 2,480 full-time jobs, building on the track record of Evolution Funds I and II which generated about 1,309 jobs out of which 22% were women.

Kevin Kariuki, AfDB vice president for Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth Complex, said the bank was committed to boosting its portfolio of renewable energy projects and encouraging private investment in renewable and efficient energy solutions.

“The Evolution Fund III is well placed to invest much-needed capital in long-term, low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways towards achieving a just, net-zero future for African countries,” Kariuki said.

The bank’s investment in Evolution Fund III aligns with its High 5 objectives, particularly, “Light Up and Power Africa” under its New Deal on Energy for Africa.

According to Wale Shonibare, director Energy Financial Solutions, Policy & Regulations, the bank’s support for a private equity fund focused on promoting renewable energy in Africa, will assist regional member countries to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions and Paris Agreement obligations.

Christopher Clarke, co-managing partner at Inspired Evolution, said: “AfDB has been a consistent supporter of Inspired Evolution since 2010 and this third capital commitment evidences our trusted partnership that has been established in the delivery of the AfDB climate goals for Africa.”

Wayne Keast, co-managing partner at Inspired Evolution, added “AfDB’s investment validates our track record and sophisticated investment management approach to accelerating Africa’s clean energy transition.”

The African Development Bank and partners in the new fund will continue to provide growth capital and infrastructure equity to support renewable and sustainable energy, and focus on decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation as the key climate mitigation and energy transition strategies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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