Energy and Environment Partnership Africa Trust Fund


With financing to the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund Africa, Switzerland will help provide early stage grants and catalytic financing to innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models implemented by private actors in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Switzerland’s contribution increases access to clean energy by vulnerable and underserved groups and consolidates its engagement in climate change mitigation.

Topic Period Budget
Climate change and environment
Employment & economic development
nothemedefined
Renewable energy generation
Employment creation
SME development
15.11.2021 - 30.11.2025
CHF  9’100’000
Background Access to energy is a critical enabler to development, but persistent low rates of energy access continue to constrain vulnerable people in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Clean energy sources play a key role in providing energy services in a sustainable manner and, in particular, in mitigating climate change. This has multiple co-benefits, including in terms of resilience, education and health. While the potential of clean energy is widely acknowledged in Zambia and Zimbabwe, these countries largely depend on fossil fuels. The private sector can play a prominent role in promoting access to clean energy in a sustainable manner, with more innovation and high impact. However, the economic environment is fragile and investors associate these countries with high risk. The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund Africa provides support to innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models implemented by private actors. The envisioned SDC support to this fund for Zambia and Zimbabwe is part of Switzerland’s effort to further engage in climate change mitigation. It also coincides with the high interest from Swiss innovation hubs in clean energy and climate change, and can benefit those active in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Objectives To contribute towards poverty reduction, reducing gender inequalities and adoption of affordable clean energy through climate resilient and zero carbon initiatives in Zimbabwe and Zambia. 
Target groups

The direct beneficiaries are the project developers, especially women, receiving direct clean energy financing.

Secondary beneficiaries are vulnerable households, communities and other groups of end user energy consumers who will directly benefit from enhanced energy access and job seekers, particularly women and youth. 

Swiss contribution will ensure an estimated additional 425’000 people with enhanced energy access, 1,800 jobs are created, €1.9mio savings on energy related expenditure per year.

Medium-term outcomes To enhance clean energy access, development and investment in Zimbabwe and Zambia, with particular attention to benefitting poor, vulnerable and underserved groups. 
Results

Expected results:  

-    A portfolio consisting of complementary and  diverse innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models;

-    Project developers are well equipped with tools and resources to effectively run and sustain their businesses;

-    Knowledge and information on clean energy is widely disseminated.


Results from previous phases:  

The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund Africa is active in 15 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa. Since it started operating in 2010, it has reached close to one million low income households with improved energy access, with co-benefits in terms of agricultural resilience, increased income and diversified livelihoods, reduction of women unpaid work, health and education. Interventions have resulted in emissions reductions of more than 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and leveraged more than EUR 150 million in co-finance and follow-up investment.

Zambia has been a focus country since 2010. A total of 20 project developers have been supported to date, including four where support is ongoing. Of the 16 developers for which support has ended, 13 are still active, including four 4 companies that have clearly scaled up their operations. Three projects terminated. Reasons include lack of co-financing and refocus of business. Zimbabwe was added in 2018 and there are currently six running projects. The demand from these two countries is strong, the proposals received of good quality and the success rate high. Currently, the number of good applications exceeds the funding available.  


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Private sector
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Foreign private sector South/East


Other partners
The Nordic Development Fund
Coordination with other projects and actors

Donor partners: Austria and Finland

Project supported by SDC in Zambia and Zimbabwe: OYE+;

Projects supported by SDC’s Global Programme on Climate Change: the Renewable Energy, Energy and Resource Efficiency Promotion in Developing and Transition Countries projects, Energising Development and the Sustainable Energy for All projects;

Projects in the region: Africa Renewable Energy Initiative, spearheaded by the African Union and Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa programme supported mainly by Sweden

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    9’100’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    6’332’051 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   9’100’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   18’200’000
Project phases Phase 1 15.11.2021 - 30.11.2025   (Current phase)