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In a significant development for African energy and infrastructure investment, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has been named an Associate Partner of African Energy Week 2025: Invest in African Energies. This partnership marks a milestone in DBSA’s efforts to expand its influence across vital sectors – energy, oil and gas, municipal infrastructure, ICT, health and manufacturing – by leveraging its growing portfolio of high-impact projects to draw capital and expertise toward sustainable economic growth.

As a development finance institution wholly owned by the South African government, DBSA’s mandate extends beyond its borders. Its mission is to accelerate socioeconomic development across the Southern African Development Community through strategic infrastructure investments. The institution’s effectiveness has been demonstrated in numerous high-stakes projects, including its support for REIPPPP and its leadership in renewable energy deployment, municipal infrastructure, water, transport and beyond.

Among DBSA’s recent flagship ventures is its instrumental role in bringing the Overberg Wind Farm to financial close in March 2025. As South Africa’s largest privately developed wind farm, the project is expected to deliver 380 MW of clean energy, supply approximately 750 GWh annually and cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 0.7 million tons of CO₂ per year – underscoring DBSA’s commitment to catalyzing green energy solutions.

In July 2025, the bank joined hands with China Development Bank to secure a $293 million credit facility aimed at financing cutting-edge infrastructure across Africa, encompassing energy, transport, ICT, water, health and manufacturing projects. Just a few months earlier, in December 2024, DBSA also sealed a €200 million loan agreement with Germany's KfW to bolster South Africa's energy transition – targeting renewables, grid upgrades, energy storage and green hydrogen to align with the country’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan.

These moves reflect a dynamic financial landscape in which DBSA is not only responding to immediate infrastructure needs but proactively structuring continent-wide investments that promise resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth. Its ability to marshal blended finance models, leverage international partnerships and support cornerstone projects across sectors positions it as a leading enabler of Africa’s energy and infrastructure evolution.

“The DBSA is at the forefront of financing projects that not only expand Africa’s energy mix but also strengthen its economic future. Their participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 ensures that conversations around investment are grounded in practical experience and proven delivery, which is exactly what Africa needs to move from ambition to action,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies comes at a critical moment when Africa’s energy demand is soaring and the infrastructure financing gap remains vast – estimated at some $100 billion annually. The forum will gather global leaders, investors and policymakers to address bottlenecks and unlock private capital toward transformative projects. For DBSA, it offers a platform to showcase its track record, share insights on blended financing and project delivery, and mobilize further investment opportunities rooted in sustainability and development impact.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.aecweek.com for more information about this exciting event.