Author: admin_decim

Bamboo Capital Partners, a specialized impact investment platform, has been mandated by the Malagasy Government and the World Bank as the fund manager of the DECIM Fund (Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in Madagascar). On January 23, 2025, Bamboo officially announced the launch of the Fund.

The DECIM Fund is part of the broader DECIM Project, an initiative of the Malagasy Government financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEH) and the Ministry of Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications of Madagascar (MNDPT). The Fund is managed by Bamboo Capital Partners as Fund Manager (GdF).

This ambitious fund aims to strengthen access to renewable energy and digital devices for underserved communities and marginalized groups in Madagascar. It builds on the efforts of the OMDF (Off-Grid Market Development Fund) by expanding its scope to include digital access.

With an initial capital of USD 97 million, the DECIM Fund supports the private sector through several financial instruments, including:

A credit line supported by BRED Madagasikara BP

Results-Based Financing (RBF) grants

A catalytic grant facility

Key numerical targets of the Fund include:

• 2 285 000 people electrified, representing 457 000 connections (28.5% of which are intended for women or women-led businesses)
• 40 000 connections served by approximately 80 mini-grids
• 417 000 connections via off-grid solar products (SHS, solar lamps, etc.)
• 664 000 digital devices distributed, including 400 000 to women and girls

Antananarivo, March 27, 2025 – The DECIM Fund organized a launch workshop for the Results-Based Financing (RBF) Facility for mini-grids at Le Centell Hotel in Antanimena, Antananarivo. This strategic event, held in person and broadcast online, aimed to present the two financing windows to private companies active in the off-grid energy sector.

Two windows at the heart of the Mini-Grid strategy

The March 27 workshop gave participants a detailed overview of the RBF Mini-Grid facility, which includes two complementary windows:

• Window 1 – New mini-grids (open from March 31 to April 27, 2025): Designed to support the development of new projects in underserved areas.
• Window 2 – Acceleration of existing mini-grids (open from April 14 to May 11, 2025): Aims to strengthen and expand mini-grids already in operation or in advanced stages of development.

A Call for innovation and inclusion

Beyond the numbers, the DECIM Fund reaffirms its commitment to foster innovation, strengthen the capacity of the private sector, and promote inclusion, with a particular focus on the economic empowerment of women. The March 27 workshop thus marked a decisive step in the operational implementation of the project.

As a reminder, the DECIM Fund is part of the envelope of the DECIM Project, an initiative of the Malagasy Government financed by the World Bank, and implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEH) and the Ministry of Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications of Madagascar (MNDPT). The fund is managed by Bamboo Capital Partners, acting as the Fund Manager.

Antananarivo, April 11, 2025 – Under the high patronage of Ms. Stéphanie DELMOTTE, Minister of Digital Development, Posts, and Telecommunications, a technical workshop was held today at the Digital Center by MNDPT in Antaninarenina. This event marks the official launch of the component “Affordable digital devices for underserved communities and vulnerable groups” of the DECIM Fund (Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in Madagascar).

A budget of USD 24 million to bridge the digital divide

With a budget of USD 24 million, this component aims to facilitate access to 664 000 internet-connected digital devices, including 400 000 specifically for women and girls.

Objectives:

• Reduce the digital divide;
• Promote financial inclusion through digital tools.

Funding will be made available to companies specializing in digital device distribution and partner financial institutions.

A dedicated Results-Based Financing (RBF) window

The workshop introduced sector stakeholders to the first window of the “Affordable internet-connected devices sales” facility, supported by a dedicated line of credit.

This initial RBF window will support the distribution of:

Entry- and mid-range smartphones.

Feature phones,

Smart feature phones,

Priority criteria:

• Provide affordable and quality devices;
• Target women as primary users;
• Ensure distribution in remote areas with high poverty rates;
• Promote mobile money to strengthen financial inclusion.

The call for applications will open on April 22, 2025, through the official channels of the DECIM Fund.