NextBillion - A WDI Publication

African Development Bank Group Approves $22.8 Million Grant to Boost Mozambique’s Rice Production and Build Climate Resilience

The grant will fund the Rice Value Chain and Climate Resilience Project, which seeks to increase Mozambique’s rice self-sufficiency.

Source

Global Agriculture (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Environment

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

climate change, poverty alleviation, rural development, smallholder farmers, supply chains

BII Commits $20 Million to Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach Initiative

The platform aims to expand access to affordable, reliable energy in underserved African markets.

Source

Africa Private Equity News (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Energy, Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

development finance, energy access, global development, lending, off-grid energy, renewable energy, rural development, solar

Press Release: New Facility Launched to Strengthen Water Enterprises and Expand Safe Water Access

The facility is designed to help promising water enterprises grow stronger and reach further.

Source

Incofin (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing, WASH

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

business development, gender equality, impact investing, impact measurement, NGOs, startups, water

Econet Founder Strive Masiyiwa Unveils $720 Million Plan to Build Africa’s First AI Factory Network by 2026

Under this vision, the continent would gain the infrastructure to conduct local AI research, development, and deployment.

Source

Empower Africa (link opens in a new window)

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

artificial intelligence, digital inclusion, Digital Public Infrastructure

Viewpoint: Ghana’s “Mission 300” Energy Pledge: Ambitious Words, but Oversight Must Deliver Action

"For such a pledge to succeed, we must demand transparency, accountability, and protection of Ghana’s long-term interests."

Source

B&FT Online (link opens in a new window)

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

development finance, employment, energy access, global development, scale

Germany’s RWE Pulls Out of Namibia’s $10 Billion Green Hydrogen Project

German power utility RWE said it has pulled out of Namibia’s $10 billion Hyphen green ammonia venture, dealing a setback to the southern African nation’s ambitions to become a leading hydrogen hub.

Source

Business Insider Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Energy, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

decarbonization, renewable energy, water

SunCulture and Bridgin To Launch 15 Million USD Structure to Finance Climate-Smart Agriculture in Kenya

Through this partnership, Bridgin will finance portfolios of SunCulture’s farmer receivables, allowing the company to reach more customers while de-risking its balance sheet and reinvesting in scale.

Source

Bridgin (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Energy, Investing, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

decarbonization, impact investing, innovation, Productive Use of Energy, renewable energy, scale, smallholder farmers, solar, sustainable finance

Arc Ride Secures $10 Million in Funding to Expand Electric Motorcycle Battery-Swapping Network Across Kenya

The company’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model enables riders to swap a depleted battery for a fully charged one in minutes, reducing fuel costs and addressing the range anxiety often associated with electric vehicle adoption.

Source

Tech in Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Energy, Transportation

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

blended finance, decarbonization, e-mobility, gig economy, impact investing