develoPPP Ventures Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania

Scaling new solutions in developing and emerging economies

With develoPPP Ventures funding, the BMZ is supporting young companies that are already active in a developing or emerging economy and whose business model contributes to sustainable local economic, ecological and social development. The aim is to scale innovative solutions in order to make them accessible to more people. Therefore, it is important that the proof of concept has already been achieved and first revenues have been generated. Funding the start-up phase via develoPPP Ventures is not possible.

The BMZ supports the scaling of suitable business models with non-dilutive capital of 100,000 euros if your company manages to acquire matching funds from other sources of at least the same amount. In addition, your start-up will receive local technical support. Women-led start-ups and start-ups promoting gender equality are especially encouraged to apply.

Funding decisions on specific investment projects are made via a regular develoPPP Ventures call for applications. Start-ups that are registered in the target country or that plan to register there before the start of the funding are eligible to participate. Funding is provided exclusively for business expansion in the respective country and must be invested locally. A prerequisite for funding is that the start-up phase has already been completed and initial revenues have been generated. In addition, your company must:

• Be privately owned and profit-oriented.
• The company is registered in Kenya, Rwanda or Tanzania OR plans to register there prior to the investment (For Ivory Coast apply here, a call for Ghanaian, Nigerian and South African companies will open up in June 2025).
• Have a viable business and financial plan.
• Be able to provide at least one annual financial statement.
• Convince other financiers of its business model (matching funds).
• Not have acquired more than a maximum of €2 million in funding to date.
• Have high growth potential and reach break-even within a maximum of three years.

Download the participation criteria (PDF) here.

– Innovation

The business model is innovative with regard to the target country

– Scalability

The company has a high growth potential due to the size of the market and the target group

– Financial Sustainability

The break-even point will be reached timely (maximum within 3 years)

– Adequate Management

The company has the necessary expertise as well as management capacity and human resources to substantially scale its business

– Developmental Impact

• The business model has a significant developmental relevance
• The impact is measurable, i.e. positive effects on the target groups
• The company is contributing to reaching the SDGs by increasing local income, saving natural resources, improving access to resources and services, and creating decent jobs

• DEG Impulse and GIZ provide non-dilutive capital of EUR 100,000 (and a top-up for successful Ventures in a potential second phase).
• The company must receive matching funds equaling the amount of the non-dilutive capital financing in the form of cash injection from other investors. Matching funds can be considered if received up to 6 months prior to the application and still available for the develoPPP Ventures investment.
  • The external capital must have been received at the latest by the time of disbursement of the develoPPP Ventures funds. Companies should therefore be in advanced discussions with investors around securing financing within the next six months.
• The use of funds takes place in the country where the company is registered, Kenya, Rwanda or Tanzania (conclusion of contract will only be possible with a locally registered entity).
• The investment proposal is financially sound, and the purpose of funding is clearly defined.
• Entirely commercial financing of the investment project is not possible at this point (subsidiarity).

develoPPP is a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is aimed at companies that want to invest sustainably in a developing or emerging country and expand their local operations. Prerequisites for support are a long-term business interest in the country and a sustainable developmental benefit for the local people.

With develoPPP Classic and develoPPP Ventures, the programme offers customised funding opportunities for already well-established enterprises as well as aspiring start-ups. develoPPP is implemented by two experienced partners in German development cooperation: DEG Impulse gGmbH and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 

GIZ

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. It supports the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education. GIZ assists people and societies in shaping their own future and improving living conditions. www.giz.de/en

DEG Impulse gGmbH

DEG Impulse gGmbH is a 100 % non-profit subsidiary of DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KfW Group. DEG Impulse promotes the social and ecological transition of the private sector in developing and emerging-market countries and supports development policy goals as defined by the Sustainable Development Goals. Via advisory and promotional programmes, DEG Impulse supports the transformation process of enterprises, banks and private equity funds and enables them to implement their projects efficiently and effectively, in order to generate both commercial success and development-policy benefits. www.deginvest.de