At a Glance
- The EU and IFC will provide $332 million in investment guarantees to de-risk private capital for critical projects in Africa and other emerging markets.
- The initiative targets energy, agriculture, and SMEs, aiming to spur job creation, industrial growth, and climate adaptation across fragile economies.
- Sub-Saharan Africa is a major focus, aligning with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy to mobilize €300 billion($341.85 billion) by 2027 in sustainable infrastructure investments.
The European Commission and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have launched a joint initiative offering up to €291 million ($332 million) in investment guarantees under the Global Gateway’s Better Futures Programme. The move is expected to unlock more than $1 billion in private sector funding, with Sub-Saharan Africa standing to benefit big from the funding.
Unlocking private investment in emerging markets
Structured as a de-risking tool under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), the guarantees will support projects in energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, and extend to micro-enterprises, SMEs, and climate adaptation efforts across emerging markets. Priority regions include Sub-Saharan Africa, the EU enlargement zone, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and MENA.
The partnership strengthens the EU’s global development agenda and deepens IFC’s role as the leading private sector financier in emerging economies. In FY2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion. Through this programme, it will use guarantees to lower investor risk and attract capital to high-impact but underfunded projects.
“This collaboration unlocks private sector potential—a key driver of jobs and growth,” said IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop. “By reducing risk, we help scale solutions that deliver lasting development.”
Unlocking finance for Africa’s green future
For Sub-Saharan Africa, the programme means greater access to finance for sustainable infrastructure and inclusive business models—crucial for job creation, industrial growth, and climate resilience in fragile economies.
EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica highlighted the initiative’s stabilizing impact: “Our partnership with the IFC boosts investor confidence, unlocking new opportunities for SMEs and accelerating the green transition.”
This latest move underlines the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to mobilize up to €300 billion($341.85 billion) globally by 2027 in strategic investments, advancing sustainable development while avoiding new dependencies.
