Novastar Ventures Africa People and Planet Fund III

It is expected that USD 2.8 trillion will be needed between 2020 and 2030 for Africa to implement its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Yet, in 2019 and 2020, Africa received only 12 to 15 per cent of the required investments for climate action. The share of private climate finance in total climate finance is relatively lower than in any other emerging market globally. The main risks that deter investors from committing to African private equity include the perception of a weak exit window, currency risk, a less attractive risk/return profile than other markets, and political risk.

GCF’s equity investment in NVIIII, a USD 200 million venture capital fund, will mobilise funding for African climate ventures. The venture fund aims to support early and growth-stage companies that promote a clean, inclusive, and sustainable development path for Africa. Investments will be channelled into companies focused on three main themes: services that enable adaptation and resilience; clean technology for decarbonising economic growth; and innovative climate technology for natural resources.

Focusing on Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Egypt, this initiative aims to scale affordable climate solutions from other markets. Each of these countries has a large climate-vulnerable population, making it essential to provide capital for companies in these areas to scale up investments in mitigation and adaptation. Through successful investments, NVIII seeks to establish a strong climate-tech innovation ecosystem by engaging key stakeholders and mobilising private sector capital.

It was developed under GCF’s Project-specific Assessment Approach (PSAA).