Empowering Communities with Clean Energy and Financial Inclusion
4.4M Households Impacted
16.4M Tons of CO2 Emissions Avoided
29.99M Off-grid Solar Products Sold
22K+ People Employed with 36% Women
The Fund
SIMA’s Off-grid Solar Fund I has proven to be a trailblazer in the off-grid solar sector, boasting an impressive USD 90 million fund. This pioneering initiative successfully brought together both public and private sector investors, providing crucial debt financing to foster the growth of off-grid solar companies and microfinance institutions offering solar products. Over the course of four years, this visionary fund has empowered leading companies to significantly expand their reach and make a lasting impact across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Particularly noteworthy is its instrumental role in supporting solar home system companies in introducing pay-as-you-go (PAYG) offerings in untapped markets, while also facilitating the broader involvement of microfinance institutions in delivering off-grid solar solutions to their customers.
The milestones achieved thus far by SIMA’s Off-grid Solar Fund I are truly remarkable. With more than 4.4 million households directly benefiting from the fund, its impact on communities is tangible. Equally important is the positive environmental contribution, as the portfolio companies have collectively avoided an average of 5.4 million tons of CO2 emissions per year. Moreover, the fund’s establishment of a Code of Conduct has had a far-reaching influence, inspiring the GOGLA association’s adoption of a similar code that has garnered endorsement throughout the off-grid solar sector.
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Hear from Our Investees
Hear from our investee companies as they share their inspiring testimonials, highlighting the transformative impact of SIMA Funds in empowering communities, driving sustainable development, and creating lasting change.
Sharon Yeti
CEO, PowerLive Zimbabwe
“EARF funding has been timely, helping us not retrench any employees but stay afloat. Without the funding, we would have closed the business. With the help of EARF, all the women sales agents were able to take care of their families.”
Arnoud de Vroomen
CEO and Co-Founder, SolarWorks
“After three years of very difficult circumstances from COVID and cyclones, EARF funding made it possible for SolarWorks to combat supply chain consequences and show its potential – grew 60% in Mozambique and almost 100% in Malwai, and also showed EBITDA positive results on a group level.”
Carlo Figa Talamanca
CEO and Founder, OTAGO
“EARF funding has been very timely and useful help since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020.”
Judith Marera
CEO, Lanforce Energy
“Without this loan, it would have been very difficult for us to keep the company running as our products are sold on a PAYG model so as to make it affordable to the bottom of the pyramid, which is our target market.”
We’re not accepting applications for this fund at the moment.
This fund is closed. However, if you have any questions, or feedback, or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’re here to help and look forward to hearing from you.