July 8th, 2025 – CEI Africa is pleased to announce the continuation of its partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In 2022, SDC committed CHF 5 million to fund the Smart Outcomes Fund (SOF) Component of CEI Africa, which is now complemented by an additional CHF 4 million to strengthen CEI Africa’s efforts to accelerate the deployment of Productive Use of Energy (PUE) solutions across underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
CEI Africa’s SOF Component offers outcomes-based grants to off-grid energy companies and mini-grid developers, rewarding them for the successful implementation and measurable impact of PUE solutions. The program also includes a forgivable loan, a new financing instrument that provides upfront capital to CEI Africa’s partner companies, as well as technical assistance financing, both of which help companies achieve their envisioned outcomes and access awarded grants.
This results-oriented funding aligns closely with CEI Africa’s mission to support sustainable, commercially viable energy access solutions in rural and underserved areas. By stimulating local economic activities, the additional funding helps generate income within communities and supports long-term improvements in livelihoods.
Mirjam Macchi Howell, Head of Section Climate, DRR and Environment at SDC: “We are highly encouraged by the impactful results achieved through CEI Africa’s SOF Component, which has demonstrated how targeted, outcomes-based support can accelerate access to energy and foster sustainable economic development in underserved regions. SDC is proud to continue its partnership to scale these vital initiatives and contribute to reaching SDG 7.”
Steven Evers, representative of CEI Africa Executive Board: “We are sincerely thankful to SDC for their continued support and this new grant. This partnership is crucial in helping us advance our efforts towards SDG 7 and will significantly contribute to our projects, enabling us to expand our reach and achieve greater impact in fostering access to sustainable and reliable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
This additional funding follows the successful implementation of two calls for proposals under the SOF Component in 2024. The first call for application focused on green mini-grid developers deploying PUE strategies. Grants totaling USD 2.1 million were awarded to 14 developers across seven countries. These projects span across critical sectors such as agro-processing, cold chain, e-cooking, and e-mobility. The grants are expected to support the deployment of over 4,394 PUE technologies, reaching 105,673 end-users.
The second call for applications targeted stand-alone PUE appliances powered by renewable energy such as irrigation and cooling in Kenya. This call resulted in USD 2.4 million in grants to eleven companies. More than 5,500 PUE units are anticipated to be installed, reaching 155,684 end-users. Following the additional funding from SDC, as well as a recent grant provided by KfW, CEIA will continue to strengthen its support for PUE by launching additional calls for proposals.
Through the SOF Component, CEI Africa takes a comprehensive approach to PUE by combining financial support with market development efforts. This integrated strategy helps build a commercially viable green mini-grid sector and scale the PUE sector. Some recipients of the SOF Component have also benefited from CEI Africa’s results-based financing facility and leveraged all CEI Africa funding instruments, highlighting the strength of CEI Africa’s convenient “one-stop shop” model.
About CEI Africa
Established in 2021 by KfW on behalf of BMZ, CEI Africa aims to enhance energy access for rural and peri-urban households and businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022, the SDC joined as a contributor to CEI Africa. Managed by Triple Jump B.V., in partnership with Persistent and GreenMax Capital Group, CEI Africa serves as a one-stop-shop for mini-grid developers and off-grid solar companies.
The Foundation provides a range of innovative financing instruments to support impact-driven energy solutions. These include debt and equity through its crowdfunding window, results-based and outcome-based grants, and a forgivable loan option. All financial offerings can be complemented by tailored Technical Assistance to enhance project success.
About SDC
The Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
SDC is responsible for the coordination of development activities and cooperation conducted by the Swiss Confederation. It finances initiatives aiming to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development globally by fostering economic self-reliance, improvement of production conditions, and promotion of solutions to environmental problems.
Photo Credit: OnePower Benin
