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Acumen, the global impact investment firm, has introduced its second iteration of the KawiSafi fund, a private-sector investment vehicle dedicated to scaling climate-focused solutions throughout the African continent.
This newly launched Fund II has already secured $90 million in committed capital to back for-profit enterprises striving for both economic returns and tangible environmental benefits.
It builds on the success of the original KawiSafi fund, which was established in 2016 with $67 million devoted to clean energy ventures.
Fund II’s strategy centers on deploying catalytic equity—capital intended to unlock additional funding—to businesses that translate climate challenges into viable, scalable business models.
Acumen’s managing director for the KawiSafi funds, Amar Inamdar, emphasized the broader message behind the capital raise: that the flow of investments toward equitable, low-carbon economic development is both possible and imperative.
“Raising $90 million for the follow-on KawiSafi fund marks a pivotal achievement. We believe this fund sends a strong signal: that capital must help shape a cleaner, more inclusive future,” Inamdar commented.
“We’re supporting African entrepreneurs who are delivering climate solutions with scalable business models that offer both impact and growth, he added.
Among the major backers of KawiSafi Fund II are the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), which is anchoring the fund; the Green Climate Fund, offering first-loss capital support; alongside philanthropic contributors such as the Schmidt Family Foundation and the Quadrature Climate Foundation.
Contextual Framework
The launch of KawiSafi Fund II arrives against a backdrop of increasing international demand for climate-resilient and inclusive development in Africa.
Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, African nations disproportionately endure the effects of climate change—from intensified droughts to rising sea levels.
Yet, the region has seen a surging interest from global capital as investors become more attuned to both the impact opportunities and financial potential of climate-focused businesses.
Acumen’s approach aligns with a broader shift in impact investing: deploying catalytic and blended finance instruments to elevate local entrepreneurial solutions that can be self-sustaining while delivering measurable environmental outcomes.
Given the historical underinvestment in clean energy and adaptation initiatives across many African countries, injections of risk-tolerant equity—especially in the early stages—can play a decisive role in propelling these high-impact ventures toward scale.
A $30 million stake by the climate-investing firm Inspired Evolution into the newly consolidated solar business Sedgeley Solar Group (SSG) marks a key milestone in the company’s growth in Southern Africa.
Juicyway, a Nigerian startup specializing in cross-border payments, has announced a successful $3 million pre-seed funding round.
Benin is moving forward with a major renewable energy initiative through a partnership between Axian Energy, a pan-African developer, and Sika Capital Bénin.
