Our Impact
Client Case Studies
At our firm, no two problems are alike. Our clients entrust us with complex, one-of-a-kind challenges that demand a distinctive and insights-driven approach. We pride ourselves on crafting pragmatic, customized solutions that address the specific nuances of each problem. This commitment to adaptability and innovation is at the core of our success.
Energy Transition Strategy
Client:
Partnership with a Global Advisory Firm with IA as the Technical Partner. Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) Funded
The challenge:
Led a ministerial taskforce in crafting an innovative energy transition plan, paving the way for an ambitious green growth agenda. IA coordinated the syndication of the white paper, with a cross-section of high level stakeholders and supported in preparations for COP27 underscoring our commitment to aligning climate goals and initiatives on a global scale,and solidifying our expertise in sustainable energy and climate action.
Outcome:
Adoption of the Paper’s Ambitions by the Presidency. Declaration of the stated ambitions at the Africa Climate Summit 2023
Impact Fund & Technical Assistance Facility design
Client:
A Global Development Finance Institution
The Challenge:
Designing an innovative impact fund vehicle to bridge financing gaps coupled with the development of a dynamic technical assistance facility aimed at nurturing private sector-led growth.
Value delivery:
IA conducted a comprehensive landscape analysis, strategically identifying target sectors and assessing the viability of various funding instruments. This approach led to the design of a diverse range of funding vehicles, including:
- On-Lending Scheme: Devised to mitigate lending risks for higher-risk borrowers, facilitating financial inclusion and supporting underserved entrepreneurs.
- Permanent Capital Vehicle: Crafted to build and invest in a spectrum of businesses, from startups to mature enterprises, driving sustainable economic development.
- Crowdfunding Platform: Aimed at delivering an advanced tech-enabled platform empowering women’s savings groups, SACCOs, and non-traditional investors to participate in the financial system, fostering financial empowerment and inclusion.
Additionally, we designed a USD 70 million Technical Assistance facility, and drafted the operational budget for the facility over a seven-year funding period.
Outcome:
Investment Committee Approval of an initial ~USD70m facility
Blended Finance Business Case
Client:
Agri-Focused Development Finance Institution
The Challenge:
How can the institution enhance its funding model to ensure long-term sustainability and effectively fulfill its developmental mission? The institution aimed to optimize its funding model to provide blended finance solutions for the sector, effectively tackling pressing market challenges hindering its growth and transformation.
Value Delivered:
IA played a pivotal role in delivering continuous strategic guidance to the executive committee, steering various strategic initiatives. This included oversight of crafting a business case for a sustainable funding model for the insitution. This model was strategically designed to secure financial sustainability while maximizing the institution’s developmental influence within the sector. In close collaboration with a service provider, we ensured the alignment of this model with the Board and Shareholder expectations, while facilitating seamless communication and coordination among diverse stakeholders throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Outcome:
The Business Case was successfully positioned for approval with relevant stakeholders, solidifying our ongoing strategic advisory role with the DFI.
Climate Focused Technical Assistance Facility Design
Client:
Climate Tech Impact Fund
Client Background:
Our client, a leading organization in climate action and sustainability, sought to access funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for a pioneering project. They aimed to establish a USD 20 million Technical Assistance facility to support climate initiatives, but required expert guidance in designing a proposal that could secure GCF approval.
Challenges:
- Crafting a proposal that demonstrated additionality – the capacity to deliver results beyond what would typically occur.
- Ensuring the proposed Technical Assistance facility would have a sustainable and lasting impact.
- Conducting a thorough market landscaping analysis to validate the proposal’s viability.
Our Approach:
- Additionality Assessment: We conducted an in-depth analysis of the project’s potential additionality. This involved identifying the unique value it would bring to climate action and sustainability efforts.
- Sustainability Evaluation: To ensure the project’s long-term impact, we examined its sustainability from various angles, including consideration for its market.
- Market Landscaping: Our team performed a comprehensive market landscaping analysis. This involved assessing the current climate assistance landscape to determine where the proposed facility could effectively fill gaps and meet specific needs.
Results: Our tailored approach and expertise in climate finance and sustainability enabled us to design a compelling proposal. It demonstrated clear additionality and outlined a Technical Assistance facility with a sustainable and lasting impact. This proposal successfully secured approval from the Green Climate Fund, paving the way for critical climate action initiatives.
Key Takeaways:
- A thorough additionality assessment is crucial when seeking climate funding.
- Sustainability considerations are integral to project design and long-term impact.
- Market landscaping analysis provides essential insights for addressing specific needs within the climate assistance landscape.
Investment Landscape Analysis
Client:
Impact Fund
The challenge:
Our client, a forward-thinking impact fund, aimed to enter the renewable energy market with a mission to support small-scale renewable energy projects in Africa. They sought our expertise in developing an investment thesis for a multi-investor financing facility catering to this niche. The challenge was to not only identify viable markets but also pinpoint financing gaps in the small-scale renewable sector.
Value Delivery:
- Market Assessment: We conducted an extensive market assessment, examining potential markets, gauging the scale of the opportunity, and pinpointing critical financing gaps within the small-scale renewable sector.
- Investment Thesis: Based on our market findings, we crafted a robust investment thesis that aligned with the client’s goals and vision. This thesis served as the strategic blueprint for the financing facility.
- Competitor Landscaping: To enhance the client’s competitive advantage, we conducted a thorough analysis of competitors, identifying their strengths and weaknesses.
- Market Entry Strategy: We formulated a comprehensive market entry strategy, offering recommendations on optimal market positioning and key markets to target for maximum impact.
Output:
Our deliverables included:
- Market Assessment: A detailed report outlining potential markets, opportunities, and financing gaps.
- Investment Thesis: A comprehensive document articulating the strategic vision for the financing facility.
- Competitor Landscaping: An analysis of key competitors in the space.
- Market Entry Strategy: A strategic roadmap for entering and excelling in the identified markets.
Impact:
Our strategic insights empowered the impact fund to make informed decisions, positioning them for success in the renewable energy market. Armed with a clear investment thesis and market entry strategy, they were well-prepared to address financing gaps and support small-scale renewable projects in Africa, thereby contributing significantly to sustainable energy solutions and environmental impact.
Private Sector Led Growth Programme Design Strategy for a Developing Market
Client:
A Global Development Agency
The challenge:
Our client, a prominent global development agency, faced the critical challenge of catalyzing private sector-led growth in a developing market. They sought a clear understanding of strategies to stimulate economic development through the engagement of the private sector.
Value delivery:
Market Analysis: IA conducted an exhaustive market analysis to identify productive sectors within the developing market that had the potential to drive significant growth. This involved assessing market dynamics, trends, and key economic indicators.
Enabling Environment Strategies: We provided actionable recommendations on how to create an enabling environment that fosters sustained growth in the identified priority sectors. This included policy recommendations, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure development strategies.
Target Screening Exercise: IA conducted a high-level target screening exercise to identify and showcase high-potential businesses operating within the priority sectors. This exercise aimed to attract investors and foster partnerships.
Output:
Our deliverables included:
- Priority Investment Sectors: A comprehensive report outlining the priority sectors with the potential to drive private sector led growth.
- Recommendations for Enabling Environment: A set of strategic recommendations to create the necessary conditions for sustained growth.
- Stakeholder Engagement Strategy: A well-defined strategy for engaging with key stakeholders, including government entities, industry associations, and potential investors.
- Investor Prospectus: A compelling document showcasing high-potential businesses and investment opportunities in the priority sectors.
Impact:
Our insights and recommendations empowered the global development agency to take targeted actions to mobise resources for a USD300m compact in the developing market. By focusing on priority sectors, implementing an enabling environment, and attracting investments, they were better positioned to stimulate economic development, create jobs, and foster sustainable growth.
Target Screening for Investment in Renewable Energy
Client:
Global Development Agency
The Challenge:
Our client was tasked with evaluating a portfolio of businesses to create an investment business case. Their objective was to craft a compelling argument to attract capital from other development funding providers, facilitating market entry. This required showcasing pipeline of financially viable renewable energy projects in the target market.
Value Delivery:
- Pipeline Assessment: We conducted a rigorous evaluation of the pipeline, assessing each business for its viability and capacity to absorb capital at scale. This involved scrutinizing financials, technical feasibility, and market dynamics.
- Investment Potential: We identified and profiled 50 investible renewable energy businesses within the pipeline. Our analysis focused on their potential for growth and contribution to the renewable energy sector.
Output:
Our deliverable was a comprehensive catalogue profiling the 50 investible renewable energy businesses. Each profile included essential information about the businesses, highlighting their financial health, technical capabilities, and growth prospects.
Impact:
Our client was equipped with a compelling investment business case, supported by a well-documented catalogue of investible renewable energy businesses. This enabled them to make informed decisions about market entry and investment, fostering the growth of renewable energy projects and contributing to sustainable and clean energy solutions
Developing a Sectoral Roadmap for Accelerated Growth in E-Mobility
Client:
Global Development Agency
Background:
In response to the growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions, our team collaborated with a global advisory firm to craft a comprehensive sectoral roadmap for the E-Mobility industry in Kenya. This ambitious endeavor aimed to outline critical strategies and levers to accelerate sector growth.
Objectives:
The primary objectives of this collaborative effort were as follows:
- Demand Generation for Green Energy: To establish a compelling demand case for green energy, with a specific emphasis on the intersection between E-Mobility and innovative business models for mini-grids, off-grid solutions, and Commercial & Industrial Solar (C&I).
- Exploration of Innovative Business Models to accelerate adoption: To explore innovative business models that could reshape the E-Mobility landscape. This included investigating the potential for local assembly operations, battery swapping technologies, and novel financing solutions for charging infrastructure.
Approach:
Our interdisciplinary team brought together experts in energy, transportation, and sustainable development to tackle this complex challenge. We conducted in-depth research and analysis, leveraging both quantitative and qualitative data. Our approach encompassed:
- Market Research: Analyzing current market trends, consumer behaviors, and emerging technologies in the E-Mobility and renewable energy sectors.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with key stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and regulatory bodies, to gather insights and foster collaboration.
- Scenario Planning: Developing various scenarios to assess potential impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with the proposed strategies.
Outcomes:
The collaborative effort resulted in a groundbreaking sectoral roadmap that made significant waves in the E-Mobility industry. Some key outcomes and impacts include:
- Policy Influence: The sectoral roadmap gained recognition and influence at the highest levels of government, particularly within the Presidential Climate Commission. Its recommendations and findings continue to shape policies aimed at promoting green energy adoption and sustainable transportation solutions.
- Industry Momentum: Critical sector players, including automotive manufacturers, energy companies, and investors, embraced the roadmap’s recommendations. This generated substantial momentum in the E-Mobility sector, that will in turn drive investments and innovations in line with the proposed strategies.
- Global Perspective: The roadmap’s insights transcended borders and were widely recognized on the global stage. It served as a reference point for international discussions on sustainable transportation and green energy integration.
The E-Mobility Sector Roadmap played a pivotal role in garnerging momentum towards accelerating the growth of sustainable transportation and green energy adoption. Its far-reaching influence extended to policymaking, industry investments, and global discussions, making it a testament to the power of strategic planning and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex challenges.
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