Hamburg, 1 July 2026 – FSD Africa, FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that formalises a collaboration to help channel more investment into Africa’s real economy.
The partnership brings together complementary expertise in market development, investment and technical assistance to identify investment opportunities, develop financial solutions, connect African and European investors with opportunities across the continent, and strengthen financial markets that support investment in climate, nature, carbon markets and financial inclusion.
Together, the organisations will work to:
- Develop investment opportunities by sharing pipelines, exploring co-investment opportunities and working together on priority transactions.
- Mobilise capital by engaging institutional investors, development partners and funders from Africa and Europe to support investment in climate, nature, carbon markets and financial inclusion.
- Design investment solutions by combining GIZ’s structuring expertise with FSD Africa’s market development experience and FSDAi’s investment capabilities.
- Share knowledge and strengthen markets through joint research, thought leadership, market convenings and the dissemination of practical lessons.
The Memorandum of Understanding will initially run for three years, with regular reviews to assess progress and identify new areas for collaboration.
Mark Napier, Chief Executive Officer of FSD Africa, said: ” No single organisation has all the pieces needed to turn opportunities into investment at scale. GIZ brings technical expertise and strong European partnerships. We bring deep knowledge of African financial markets, experience designing investment solutions, and the ability to invest where markets are still developing. Together, we can help connect more investors with opportunities that might otherwise struggle to attract capital.”
Anna Sophie Herken, Managing Director of GIZ, said: “Across Africa, there is a wealth of innovation, promising businesses, and attractive investment opportunities. What is often missing are the right financial structures connecting investors with these opportunities at scale. This Memorandum of Understanding creates a framework for deeper collaboration between FSD Africa, FSD Africa Investments, and GIZ allowing us to combine our respective strengths – from investment expertise and catalytic capital to technical assistance in market development and investor engagement. Together, we aim to mobilise more private capital from both domestic and international investors into Africa’s real economy and ensure that finance works more effectively for sustainable development, climate resilience, job creation and economic growth.”
For more information/queries on FSD Africa, FSDAi and GIZ, please contact:
FSD Africa
Mireille Ferrari, Director, Strategic communications
mireille@fsdafrica.org
GIZ
Anna-Sophia Elm, ICAMA Initiative, GIZ
anna-sophia.elm@giz.de
About Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is an enterprise owned by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany that provides services worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and financial sector development. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is the main commissioning party. To foster successful interaction between development policy and foreign trade as well as mobilise private capital for sustainable development, GIZ also closely cooperates with the private sector. On behalf of the commissioning parties and together with its partners, GIZ works in over 120 countries to deliver flexible and effective solutions that offer people better prospects and sustainably improve their living conditions. For more information, visit: https://www.giz.de/en.
