CEI Africa
Accelerating off-grid electrification and the deployment of productive use technologies across Sub-Saharan Africa
The Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa Foundation (CEI Africa) was launched by KfW on behalf of the German and Swiss Governments to accelerate clean energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Foundation offers financing for green mini-grid developers, off-grid solar companies and standalone productive use enterprises through two complementary investment windows and multiple types of investments combined with technical assistance.
GreenMax is part of the CEI Africa Fund Management consortium with Triple Jump, the Foundation Manager and Crowdlending Window Lead. GreenMax is responsible for leading the implementation of the Smart Outcomes Fund (SOF) Window, which has two components: (i) The Results-Based Financing (RBF) component and (ii) the Smart Outcomes Fund (SOF) component. The RBF component offers corporate and project financing for green mini-grid developers, while the SOF component offers outcomes-based financing for green mini-grid developers and other off-grid enterprises deploying productive use of energy (PUE) equipment. CEI Africa currently supports private-sector companies delivering off-grid energy services and PUE solutions to underserved communities across seven African countries: Benin, DRC, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
Rewarding verified energy connections in remote and underserved markets
The RBF component disburses performance-based grants to off-grid energy companies delivering verified electricity connections in frontier markets. Capital flows only when results are confirmed through independent verification.
Smart Outcomes Fund (SOF) Component
Unlocking early-stage capital for innovative productive use business models
The SOF component provides flexible early-stage grants to companies deploying productive use of energy technologies — agro-processing, cold chain, e-mobility, water pumping, and clean cooking. By absorbing early-stage risk, the SOF unlocks business models that conventional financing cannot reach.
Strengthening delivery capacity across the CEI Africa ecosystem
The Technical Assistance window supports both grantees and implementing institutions in achieving strong social, environmental, and operational outcomes. It provides hands-on support to companies at critical stages of their development, complementing the RBF and SOF components.
