Acumen's Hardest-to-Reach Initiative (H2R) secures $250 million to expand clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa

Deal Analysis

Acumen's Hardest-to-Reach Initiative (H2R) securing $250 million in blended capital represents a significant investment in expanding clean energy access across sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative aims to reach nearly 70 million people, with a focus on providing first-time energy access to 50 million individuals. This financing round demonstrates a strong commitment from a diverse group of lenders, including development finance institutions, impact investors, and commercial banks, to address energy poverty and promote sustainable development in the region. The deal is notable for its scale, the involvement of prominent players like the Green Climate Fund, British International Investment, International Finance Corporation, and Shinhan Bank, and its potential to significantly impact energy access in sub-Saharan Africa. The blended capital structure, combining concessional and commercial financing, is crucial for de-risking investments in challenging markets and attracting further private sector participation. This initiative aligns with global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and contributes to broader climate action goals.

Secures $250 million in blended capital for clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa.
Aims to reach nearly 70 million people, including 50 million first-time energy users.
Involves a diverse group of lenders, including development finance institutions, impact investors, and a commercial bank.
Demonstrates a commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Market Context: Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant energy access challenges, with a large portion of the population lacking access to electricity. Renewable energy solutions, such as solar home systems and mini-grids, are increasingly seen as a viable and cost-effective way to address this challenge. The sector is attracting growing investment from both public and private sources, driven by the potential for significant social and economic impact.

Source Intelligence

KEY DETAILS

H2R aims to reach nearly 70 million people across underserved geographies in sub-Saharan Africa, including 50 million first-time energy users. Quote: The initiative aims to reach nearly 70 million people across underserved geographies in sub-Saharan Africa, including 50 million first-time energy users in markets where traditional capital has not been able to operate. H2R combines a patient capital, market-building facility, Catalyze, with a scale-focused debt fund, H2R Amplify. Quote: H2R combines a patient capital, market-building facility, Catalyze, with a scale-focused debt fund, H2R Amplify. $7.8 million commitment from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), alongside $18 million in complementary grant capital. Quote: supported by a new $7.8 million commitment from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), alongside $18 million in complementary grant capital that will be used to provide impact-based rewards to borrowers.

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Deal Size

Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach Initiative (H2R) secured a total of $250 million in blended capital to expand clean energy access across sub-Saharan Africa, reaching its target raise.

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Location

to expand clean energy access across sub-Saharan Africa

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Financials

The latest milestone includes the final close of H2R Amplify, the initiative’s scale-focused debt fund, at $180 million

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Announcement

New York City (January 6, 2026) — Acumen, a global impact investor building markets to solve poverty, announced today its Hardest-to-Reach Initiative (H2R) secured a total of $250 million in blended capital

PARTIES MENTIONED IN SOURCE

A

Acumen investor

"Acumen, a global impact investor building markets to solve poverty, announced today its Hardest-to-Reach Initiative (H2R) secured a total of $250 million in blended capital"

S

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation investor

"supported by a new $7.8 million commitment from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)"

G

Green Climate Fund investor

"Launched at COP28 and anchored by the Green Climate Fund, H2R is Acumen’s most ambitious energy effort to date."

N

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation investor

"Catalyze is supported by partners including the Green Climate Fund, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Osprey Foundation, the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, Cazenove Capital, Good Energies Foundation, and several individual philanthropists and high-net-worth supporters."

G

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet investor

"Catalyze is supported by partners including the Green Climate Fund, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Osprey Foundation, the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, Cazenove Capital, Good Energies Foundation, and several individual philanthropists and high-net-worth supporters."

O

Osprey Foundation investor

"Catalyze is supported by partners including the Green Climate Fund, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Osprey Foundation, the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, Cazenove Capital, Good Energies Foundation, and several individual philanthropists and high-net-worth supporters."

U

UK government investor

"Catalyze is supported by partners including the Green Climate Fund, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Osprey Foundation, the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, Cazenove Capital, Good Energies Foundation, and several individual philanthropists and high-net-worth supporters."

C

Cazenove Capital investor

"Catalyze is supported by partners including the Green Climate Fund, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Osprey Foundation, the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, Cazenove Capital, Good Energies Foundation, and several individual philanthropists and high-net-worth supporters."

G

Good Energies Foundation investor

"Catalyze is supported by partners including the Green Climate Fund, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Osprey Foundation, the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, Cazenove Capital, Good Energies Foundation, and several individual philanthropists and high-net-worth supporters."

I

International Finance Corporation investor