Seville, Spain – July 7, 2025 – While many investors still hesitate on the sidelines, a new kind of partnership is proving that Africa’s future can be bankable—and transformative.
At the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Pegasus Capital and the United Nations Joint SDG Fund unveiled a bold collaboration that’s already delivering results. Their formula: blend public and private capital to unlock projects that improve lives—while offering long-term returns.
From sidelines to scale: putting capital where it counts
For Craig Cogut, CEO of Pegasus Capital, the path forward is clear. “Africa isn’t a single market. It’s a mosaic of opportunities hiding in plain sight,” he told the Seville audience. What others see as fragmentation, Cogut sees as untapped potential.
Take Senegal’s small-scale fishing sector. Without cold storage, local fishermen are forced to sell instantly, often at a loss. The company is investing in solutions that extend shelf life, raise incomes, and reduce waste. In Kenya, Curvalux and Pegasus are rolling out low-energy broadband tech that delivers 5G to remote communities—at just 10% of traditional power needs.
These aren’t pilot projects. They’re proof points. And they’re creating new markets while closing development gaps.
The power of catalytic capital
For every US $1 invested through the Joint SDG Fund, US $19 more is mobilized.[1] That 19:1 ratio isn’t just a headline, it’s a game-changer for countries looking to move beyond aid and into sustainable investment.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed put it bluntly: “We’re done with incrementalism. This is about scale, speed, and partnerships that deliver for people and planet.”
A hydrogen breakthrough in Mali
One of the most ambitious projects? A naturally occurring hydrogen source in Mali—potentially the only one of its kind on Earth. If proven viable, it could power entire regions, produce clean fertilizer, and flip West Africa’s energy narrative from importer to exporter.
And thanks to the Fund’s political backing and Pegasus’s private capital, early-stage risk is mitigated—without losing sight of long-term return.
Why it works: trust, tools, and timing
What sets this partnership apart isn’t just money. It’s trust. Pegasus was the first U.S. private equity firm accredited by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), giving it access to concessional financing and a rare ability to work hand-in-hand with governments.
The firm already manages two funds with GCF as anchor investor and is working with the Government of Barbados and the GCF in establishing the world's first Blue Green Bank in Barbados, creating a replicable model for coastal and island economies.
The Joint SDG Fund adds another layer: a platform with UN country teams, regulatory know-how, and boots-on-the-ground access in over a dozen African countries. That means faster approvals, smarter risk-sharing, and more confidence for investors.
Not just capital—commitment
Lisa Kurbiel, who heads the UN Joint SDG Fund, sees this as the future of development finance. “It’s not just about who’s writing the checks. It’s about who’s staying for the long haul—who’s co-designing solutions with governments, communities, and the private sector.”
This isn’t about charity. It’s about rewriting the rules of what’s investable.
Africa is ready. Now bring in the investments.
With a young population, abundant natural assets, and bold national strategies, Africa is poised to lead in the global green and digital transitions. But to turn potential into progress, capital must follow—with urgency, creativity, and trust.
The message from Seville is clear: high-impact investment in Africa isn’t a future ambition—it’s already happening. Now’s the time to scale it.
