Nordic Development Fund has partnered with SNV and Open Capital for EEP Africa Implementation Support. The new EEP Africa team kicked things off with a week of strategic workshops and team building in Helsinki.
The EEP Africa Trust Fund (EEP Africa) is headed by a fund management unit at the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) based in Helsinki, Finland. NDF is both fund manager and funding partner of EEP Africa with overall responsibility for strategy, management, administration, and performance of the Trust Fund throughout its life. NDF has managed EEP Africa since it was transformed into a trust fund in 2018. To boost the technical resources and regional presence of EEP Africa, NDF relies on external support.
Recently, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, in partnership with Open Capital, was awarded a contract for EEP Africa implementation support services. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with NDF. SNV will act as the support lead across all activities with Open Capital providing business development and investment facilitation expertise. The core staff will be based in Nairobi and Harare, supported by a wider network of thematic experts and partners at global, regional, and national levels.
Commenting on the selection of SNV, Martijn Veen, Global Head of Energy at SNV, said:
This marks an important step for SNV’s energy sector and builds on the innovative financing work that we are already undertaking in various initiatives around the globe. We look forward to working as an integral part of the EEP Africa team from our Nairobi office and drawing on our country office structures. With SNV’s local presence and understanding of the local context, we can add value by bringing in our networks, relationships, know-how, and capacity to adapt to changing environments.
In early September, the new EEP Africa Team met in Helsinki for a week of strategic workshops and team building. The team also found a chance to enjoy some Finnish culture and nature.
Jussi Viding, Fund Manager of EEP Africa, Nordic Development Fund, said:
It was fantastic to have the whole team in Helsinki to strategise on how we can better deliver on our mandate of helping the early movers in the clean energy sector in Africa. I’m confident that with the enthusiasm, expertise, and dedication already demonstrated by this team, we have a bright future ahead of us.
Check out the Team Page on our website to learn more about the people behind EEP Africa.
About EEP Africa
The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) is a clean energy financing facility hosted and managed by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) with funding from Austria, Finland, Iceland, NDF, and Switzerland. It is guided by a vision for a climate-resilient, zero-carbon future to contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement on climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For more information, please visit www.eepafrica.org or get in touch at info@eepafrica.org.
About SNV
SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services. We focus on three sectors – agriculture, energy, and water, and have a long-term, local presence in 24 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Our team of approximately 1,300 people is the backbone of SNV.
For more information, please visit https://snv.org/
About Open Capital
Open Capital Advisors is a management consulting and financial advisory firm that drives growth, enables investment, and builds markets across Africa. We help businesses, investors, development partners, and the public sector to identify opportunities and deliver unique, impactful solutions. Our mission is to advance African economies and build future generations of business leaders. Since 2010, we have completed over 1000 engagements across 25 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and raised over $ 1 billion in capital for impactful businesses across the continent. Our locally based team of over 150 full-time staff brings experience from the world’s top consultancies, private equity firms, investment banks, and development organizations.
For more information, please visit www.opencapital.com
The EEP Africa Team in Finland
Back Row: Kennedy Kibukho, Martijn Veen, Susanne Hounsell, Jussi Viding
Front Row: Maggie Knorr, Faith Chege, Kenneth Nyange, Chiedza Mazaiwana, Tamara Kalunda