Scalar Africa Decarb Fund I (ADF I)
Our flagship clean energy strategy. It deploys equity, quasi-equity and mezzanine capital into renewable energy, energy efficiency, battery storage, microgrids and EV charging infrastructure across Africa -- targeting the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment that has been systematically locked out of traditional project finance.
Strategy & Structure
ADF I deploys capital across the full spectrum of distributed clean energy — from capture to storage and distribution through to consumption — for commercial and industrial off-takers across the SADC region and beyond. The fund is structured to meet institutional return requirements while channeling capital directly to bankable, revenue-generating assets that traditional project finance overlooks.
Download BrochureWhy ADF I
ADF I is built for the capital gap in the middle of the market — too large for microfinance, too small or too early for traditional infrastructure project finance.
Concentrated exposure to the SAPP region's clean energy transition, where grid constraints and rising tariffs are accelerating demand for distributed and behind-the-meter generation.
Long-dated power purchase and energy-as-a-service agreements with commercial and industrial off-takers provide predictable, contracted cash flows.
Equity, quasi-equity and mezzanine tranches are combined to match risk-adjusted return expectations across the investor base.
Distributed clean energy is the fastest route to reliable power across Southern Africa
ADF I finances the assets utilities and grids can't build fast enough — rooftop solar, storage and microgrids that put reliable power directly in the hands of the businesses that need it.
Every investment is underwritten against real, contracted off-take, keeping the portfolio anchored to revenue rather than policy support.