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Energy and Environment Partnership Africa Trust Fund


Switzerland supports the Energy and Environment Partnership Africa Trust Fund to advance clean energy solutions in Zimbabwe. The project provides grants, business development support and investment facilitation to innovative private-sector actors that deliver clean energy services to vulnerable communities. This aligns with Switzerland’s interest to support climate change mitigation and inclusive economic development in Zimbabwe. 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Zimbabwe
Climate change and environment
Inclusive economic Development
nothemedefined
Renewable energy generation
Employment creation
SME development
01.12.2025 - 31.12.2029
 CHF  4’850’000
The project in brief
Background Zimbabwe’s energy access remains critically low,  especially  in  rural  areas,  where  limited connections, frequent outages and climate-stressed  infrastructure undermine livelihoods and economic growth. While national policies support  renewable energy and green development, limited investment and weak  enforcement slow progress. The private sector, key to expanding clean energy, faces financing and operational barriers. EEP Africa, a regional initiative working across 17 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa  offers  a strategic  solution by supporting early-stage enterprises, derisking investment, and  promoting innovation. Its blended approach includes grants, business services, and  investment facilitation. Switzerland provides support for EEP Africa’s engagement  in Zimbabwe. EEP Africa empowers local businesses to deliver affordable, sustainable energy to underserved communities, which aligns with Switzerland’s development  priorities and interests, and Zimbabwe’s development goals. 
Objectives To contribute to poverty reduction, gender equality,  and the adoption of affordable,  climate-resilient clean energy solutions that empower vulnerable  communities and support inclusive, sustainable development in Zimbabwe. 
Target groups

The direct beneficiaries are clean energy project developers, with a strong focus on women-led enterprises, who will gain access to financing, capacity building, and market opportunities. 

The secondary beneficiaries are vulnerable households, communities, and end users who will benefit from improved energy access, as well as  job seekers particularly women and youth who will access new employment opportunities in  the green energy sector. 
Medium-term outcomes

The expected outcomes of this project are: 

1. Increased availability and uptake of high-quality, affordable green energy solutions; 

2. Enhanced technical, business, and investment readiness of project developers; 

3. Enhanced investor engagement and market development; 

4. Successful scale-up of early-stage innovative projects. 
Results

Expected results:  

▪ Deployment and financing mechanisms established to ensure widespread access  to affordable, reliable clean energy technologies and services. 

▪ Targeted capacity-building, incubation, and mentorship programmes delivered to strengthen the technical, business, and gender-responsive capabilities of clean energy developers. 

▪ Investor networks, matchmaking platforms, and market intelligence products created to connect developers with financiers and stimulate clean energy market growth. 

▪ High-potential pilot projects supported with technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing to expand proven clean energy solutions to new markets and communities. 


Results from previous phases:  

• Supported 18 competitively selected renewable energy companies across Zimbabwe and Zambia to deploy innovative renewable energy solutions  and develop scalable business models. 

▪ Over 92,000 people in Zimbabwe and Zambia gained access to clean and reliable energy, advancing energy equity, improving livelihoods, and strengthening  resilience in underserved and off grid communities.  

▪ More than €12.3 million in climate finance was mobilized by investees, leveraging grants, equity, and other funding sources to scale clean energy and  climate resilience solutions across Zimbabwe and Zambia. 

▪ Supported companies achieved a cumulative reduction of 111,373 tons of CO2 emissions. 
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Private sector
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Foreign private sector South/East
  • Nordic Development Fund


Coordination with other projects and actors

Donor partners: Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and NDF itself 

Projects supported by SDC HQ; REPIC, COGEA, EnDev and Impact-Linked  Finance for Climate Action initiative 

Swiss-supported initiatives such as MASAP, U-RISE and OYE 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    4’850’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    902’500 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   8’908’451 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   13’950’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.12.2025 - 31.12.2029   (Current phase) Phase 1 15.11.2021 - 30.11.2025   (Completed)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation ENERGY
    OTHER SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
    INDUSTRY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Energy generation, renewable sources - multiple technologies
    Employment policy and administrative management
    Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development
    Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
    Aid Type Basketpooled multi-donor fund
    Mandate without fiduciary fund
    Project number

    7F10845

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Last update 05.12.2024