AECF and Invest in Visions launch the Solar Electrification Fund

Nairobi, Kenya, May 6, 2025 – The AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) and Invest in Visions (IIV) today launched the Solar Electrification Fund, dedicated to investing in renewable energy businesses in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda.

The IIV Solar Electrification Debt ELTIF, managed by Invest in Visions and advised by AECF, will focus on solar energy ventures in Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar, Mini-Grids, and the Productive Use of Energy (PUE) in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Fund targets businesses and projects critical to advancing the green energy transition. It focuses on reaching households, businesses, and social institutions that need reliable power. By addressing a key financing gap, the fund will strengthen companies’ ability to scale their operations, unlock additional capital, and deliver energy solutions where they are needed most.

This initiative will be implemented under AECF Capital, AECF’s commercial investment arm, which was established to provide commercial capital to businesses beyond the grant stage, recognizing that access to the right kind of financing is crucial for long-term growth. With the Solar Electrification Fund, AECF continues its commitment to bridging financing gaps, driving innovation, and making clean energy accessible to underserved communities across the region.

Victoria Sabula, CEO of the AECF, said,

“Today, with the launch of the IIV Solar Electrification Debt ELTIF, we reaffirm our belief that access to clean energy should not be a privilege, but a right. We are investing in the growth of decentralized solar solutions to power homes, grow businesses, and strengthen communities across Sub-Saharan Africa—sustainably, inclusively, and with the resilience this region deserves.”

Edda Schröder, Founder and Managing Director of Invest in Visions GmbH, said,

“We are proud to announce the launch of the IIV Solar Electrification Debt ELTIF today in collaboration with The AECF. It is intended to build a bridge between European private investors and African companies that harness the power of the sun to improve access to clean and reliable energy for businesses and households. It is founded on the collaboration between a European portfolio manager and an African fund advisor, united by the shared goal of combating climate change, promoting economic development, and improving living conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa.”