Hangin' with Edda Schröder: Africa's Solar-Powered Future and Eltif Investments
wbr Frankfurt
Focusing on tangible outcomes instead of categorizing by labels in our investments.
Imagine cruising through the African savannah in a jeep, spotting a lodge run almost entirely on sun power - that's no pipe dream for financial expert Edda Schröder. "When I lay eyes on a 90% solar-powered lodge amidst the savannah, I know it's not just a blueprint - it's a reality." For the founder of Invest in Visions, it's the fusion of funding, finance, and tangible impact that really gets her engine running.
Whether you're versed in finance or just starting out, you might still be scratching your head over this concept. So let's dig a little deeper.
[Putting cash into renewable projects in Africa - Invest in Visions and the Eltif game]
Invest in Visions is set to launch an Eltif fund dedicated to solar energy initiatives across Africa. By bridging the gaps in mid-market funding, digital payment systems, and revised risk models, they're opening the floodgates for both institutional and retail investors to jump on the bandwagon - no more kickin' dirt or countin' pennies 'round the campfire, just profitable returns on high-growth ventures.
By Wolf Brandes, Frankfurt
As you can see, the Want-to-Have, Be-Good, and Feel-Good aspects of sustainable investing are all in play here. Let me break it down for you.
First off, Eltifs - or European Long-Term Investment Funds - are aimed at allocating capital to long-term real economy investments, like infrastructure, real estate, and SMEs. These projects require a steady stream of capital and often lack the resources for traditional financing. Eltifs provide a solution, offering patient capital and expertise in these sectors.
As Eltifs become more popular, they're increasingly focusing on sustainable infrastructure projects, like solar energy and renewables. Investments aren't confined to large projects any longer; now, institutions and retail investors alike can get a piece of the action, even at the entrepreneurial level.
Grasping the Green Gist
By stepping into the Eltif scene, Invest in Visions is setting its sights on filling the mid-market funding gaps in Africa. With solar projects in the crosshairs, they're forging a powerful connection between sustainable energy, economic growth, and investment opportunities.
Challenges in mid-market solar financing in Africa arise from perceptions of risk and complex deal structures. It's hard to assure traditional banks that the payback period of mid-market solar projects justifies their investment. Plus, projects that are too large for microfinance but too risky for conventional project finance struggle to find the dollars they need to shine bright.
But Eltifs are stepping up to the plate, offering long-term patient capital, innovative risk diversification techniques, and structured liquidity. These factors combine to attract investors and provide much-needed support for sustainable infrastructure projects in Africa. By addressing these financing gaps, Eltifs help solar projects scale and advance sustainable development across the continent.
The Green Grid: Eltif Financing vs Traditional Financing
| Aspect | Traditional Financing | Eltif Financing ||--------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------|| Access to Capital | Limited for mid-market | Expanded (retail/institutional) || Investment Horizon | Short to medium | Long-term || Risk Diversification | Limited | Broad || Liquidity | Often low | Engineered/improved || Regulatory Support | Variable | Strong || Alignment with ESG | Sometimes | High priority |
In a nutshell, Invest in Visions is here to help forge a greener, brighter future for Africa - one Eltif and solar panel at a time. As Edda Schröder continues to steer the financial ship towards sustainable horizons, the world watches and waits to witness the transformative impact of this bold vision. So, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready for a wild ride through the African sunscape!
In the scenic African savannah, a lodge almost completely reliant on solar power represents a fusion of business, technology, and sustainable finance - a reality embraced by Edda Schröder, the founder of Invest in Visions. The launch of the Eltif fund dedicated to solar energy initiatives in Africa by Invest in Visions will pave the way for both institutional and retail investors to dive into high-growth, impactful ventures, making profitable returns accessible while championing a solar-powered future.
