Tomorrow is #EarthDay2023 and at Open Capital, we’re using it as a moment to take stock. We’ve seen some really exciting climate innovation in Africa these past 13 years – and we should celebrate it! – but we also need so much more.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time – it affects the communities, livelihoods, and health of all people across Africa and disproportionately hits the poor who are also least responsible.

We see combating climate change as a core part of our mission and apply a climate lens to all our work, in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy and productive use of energy, water access, sanitation and waste-to-value, and more.

We’re only at the start of the change we need, but we also want to celebrate many of our clients and partners who are on the front lines! 

Innovative fund models like our Green Gensets Facility (with The DOEN Foundation and Access to Energy Institute) are replacing diesel with solar, VentureBuilder and Acumen‘s Hardest to Reach Fund unlock clean energy at Africa’s last mile, Delta40 Studio is launching a new generation of African climate entrepreneurs, MCE Social Capital‘s MESA fund enhances smallholder farmers’ climate resilience and KIFFWA – Kenya Innovative Finance Facility for Water invests in water projects for climate adaptation.

There are dozens of our African business clients who deserve celebration too. SunCulture, ColdHubs Limited, and InspiraFarms Cooling, innovate by applying solar energy to irrigation and cold storage, Roam, Ampersand E-Mobility, and BasiGo lead on the transition to e-mobility, CityTaps innovates in reducing wasted water and improving access, Komaza in reforestation, and PayGo Energy in clean cooking, among many others. 

We’re optimistic about what we can all achieve, though we feel the ‘burn’ of urgency. On behalf of all 150 of us at Open Capital, we look forward to supporting much more innovation this year! 

Andreas Zeller,
co-CEO, Open Capital