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.

Thème Période Budget
Changement climatique & environnement
Emploi & développement économique
nothemedefined
Production d’énergie renouvelable
Création d'emplois
Développement de petites et moyennes entreprises
15.11.2021 - 30.11.2025
CHF  9’100’000
Contexte 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.
Objectifs 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. 
Groupes cibles

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.

Effets à moyen terme To enhance clean energy access, development and investment in Zimbabwe and Zambia, with particular attention to benefitting poor, vulnerable and underserved groups. 
Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

-    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.


Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

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.  


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
ONG internationale ou étrangère
Secteur privé
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Sectreur privé étranger Sud/Est


Autres partenaires
The Nordic Development Fund
Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs

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 Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    9’100’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    6’332’051 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   9’100’000 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   18’200’000
Phases du projet Phase 1 15.11.2021 - 30.11.2025   (Phase en cours)