German impact crowdinvesting platform bettervest and CEI Africa, a foundation funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW, have signed a Framework Agreement to scale their joint efforts to improve energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. bettervest is the first German crowdlending platform selected to receive funding from CEI Africa, highlighting its unique role in mobilizing private capital for clean energy projects in emerging markets.
Under the agreement, CEI Africa will deploy up to EUR 1.5 million over the next two years to co-finance qualified companies in the access to energy sector, participating in pari passu loans alongside bettervest’s crowd investors. This collaboration aims to enhance bettervest’s ability to invest in the African off-grid energy sector by helping to de-risk projects for private crowd investors. The facility is expected to catalyse at least EUR 3M of private capital into the off-grid energy sector, supporting high-impact clean energy projects that address the pressing energy needs of underserved communities.
The first project to receive funding is Ariya Finergy Limited, a Kenyan company that develops and installs commercial solar and battery storage systems for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. CEI Africa has committed €500,000 to this investment as part of the EUR 3.3M Ariya’s loan package with bettervest, demonstrating its catalytic role in scaling clean energy access in the region. Ariya’s solution provides reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to businesses that have traditionally relied on expensive grid connections or diesel generators.
Fueled by this partnership, Ariya aims to finance and install approximately 4.75 MWp of photovoltaic capacity combined with 2 MWh of battery storage systems, delivering clean energy to SMEs in rural and peri-urban areas. These installations are projected to generate over 6,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, leading to a projected reduction of approximately 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
Beyond its environmental benefits, Ariya’s business model supports economic development through the creation of over 150 local jobs. The company has been recognized for its leadership in the sector, receiving awards such as “Best Solar Off-grid Project of the Year (Gold)” and “Solar Company of the Year: EPC for Advanced Energy Storage Solutions” at the Solar Quarter Africa Awards in 2024.
The Framework Agreement represents a strategic milestone in the collaboration between CEI Africa and bettervest, following the earlier Technical Assistance Agreement signed in March 2025. By combining public capital with bettervest’s crowdinvesting platform and network of retail investors, the partnership aims to unlock new financing pathways for high-impact energy access projects in the region.
Further funding rounds and additional project announcements are expected in the coming months as the collaboration progresses.
About bettervest
bettervest is a Frankfurt-based crowdinvesting platform that enables individuals to directly fund sustainable energy and climate projects worldwide. Since its founding in 2012, the platform has financed over 130 projects across the globe, helping to avoid more than 2 million tons of CO₂ emissions. With a strong commitment to transparency and measurable impact, bettervest connects purpose-driven investors with meaningful climate solutions—particularly in regions most affected by climate change.
About CEI Africa
CEI Africa was established by the German development finance institution KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2021 to improve access to energy for rural and peri-urban households and enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022, the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) joined as a contributor to CEI Africa. CEI Africa is managed by Triple Jump and implemented together with partners Persistent and GreenMax Capital Group. CEI Africa works with financiers, off-grid solar and mini-grid experts, to develop investment solutions that bridge the financing gap in the most challenging access to energy sub-sectors.
About KfW
KfW Bankengruppe, founded in 1948, is the German promotional bank and one of the world’s leading development banks. KfW Development Bank finances development projects worldwide on behalf of the German government, particularly the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Through its financing and support programs, KfW collaborates primarily with public sector stakeholders in developing countries and emerging economies. The bank’s mission is to assist partner countries in combating poverty, promoting peace, protecting the environment and climate, and managing globalization in a sustainable manner. By leveraging its expertise and financial resources, KfW contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
