• The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to invest up to $25 million in the African Transition Acceleration Fund (ATAF).
• The fund aims to raise $200–250 million to bridge the financing gap in Africa’s energy transition.
• The investment, pending board approval on November 27, 2025, will help secure a first close of $100 million.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced on October 15, 2025, its plan to invest up to $25 million in the African Transition Acceleration Fund (ATAF) to boost Africa’s clean energy transformation.

Based in Mauritius, ATAF is managed by African Fund Managers and advised by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM). The fund aims to support the growth of companies and ecosystems involved in Africa’s energy transition, green technologies, and sustainable mobility.

IFC said the proposed investment—awaiting approval by its board of directors scheduled for November 27, 2025—will provide seed capital to accelerate the development of local solutions. Acting as an anchor investor, IFC expects to attract additional institutional investors and strengthen the fund’s financial credibility.

ATAF targets a total capital raise between $200 million and $250 million to address the financing shortfall for Africa’s energy transition. According to IFC, private equity flows into Africa represent only 3% of total inflows to emerging markets, a figure considered insufficient given the continent’s growth potential.

The investment will help facilitate a first close of around $100 million, enabling ATAF to begin deploying capital into early-stage projects and companies.

Founded in 2000, AIIM is a subsidiary of Old Mutual Limited, one of South Africa’s leading financial groups. The company manages about $3.4 billion in assets and operates offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, and Abidjan. AIIM focuses its investments on digitalization, energy transition, and mobility—three pillars driving Africa’s next growth wave.

This article was initially published in French by SG

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum