CDC Group to Invest over $300m in Gridworks to Help Address Africa’s Energy Challenges

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CDC Group to Invest over $300m in Gridworks and other African Energy Startups

The UK’s CDC Group launches Gridworks and is making a bold move to address electricity challenges on the African continent. The development finance institution launched the new company with a mandate to improve electricity infrastructure on the African continent.

Gridworks will invest over $300 million across the continent in areas such as power transmission, distribution infrastructure and off-grid electricity systems. The new company is expected to develop alternative energy sources in Africa, and will also invest in companies making solid efforts in this direction too.

“For African countries to reach their economic potential they need reliable and affordable power”, says CDC’s Chief Executive, Nick O’Donohoe. “Getting that power to households and businesses requires well-financed, efficient electricity networks.”

CDC Group to Invest over $300m in Gridworks and other African Energy Startups

“Providing capital for infrastructure is a central part of CDC’s investment strategy. We’ve built a team that offers both equity and project finance, as well as investment to off-grid solar companies,” he said.

Of course, the CDC Group is no new comer to investing in Africa and Africa’s power sector.

For decades, CDC has invested in different areas of the African economy including the financial sector and the oil industry. In the last 20 years, it has played a key role in financing some critical electricity ventures on the continent.

For instance in 2005, the group played a pivotal role in the establishment of Uganda’s national utility company, Umeme. CDC is also invested in the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AFKED) joint venture, which controls two power plants in east Africa.

The CDC also holds 70% majority stake in Globaleq, an important energy company that provides electricity to five African countries via eight power plants.

However the CDC is looking to take on a more direct role in investing Africa’s way to sustainable electricity. The group, which has over $5 billion worth of assets, says it now wants to use “catalytic capital” to shape new markets in Africa.

CDC Group to Invest over $300m in Gridworks and other African Energy Startups
Daystar has raised $10 million to develop solar energy in West Africa

Gridworks represents its biggest move in this direction. The company will partner different governmental bodies, organisations and investors to achieve its aim. It will also invest in critical areas such as utility concessions, public private partnerships (PPPs), management contracts, rural electrification programmes, among others.

These could see Gridworks invest directly in African startups developing infrastructure in these areas.

A number of such companies are capturing attention already. For instance, Daystar Power Africa, a solar energy company, raised $10 million funding in March 2019. Such company is already well-positioned to take advantage of the new CDC commitment to Africa’s energy potentials.

And on its part, the CDC is looking to invest at least $300 million over the next five years via Gridworks. There’s also room for more capital injection if the need arises.


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