Zafiri US$176m blended finance permanent capital vehicle (Inspired Evolution)

Lead party: IFC, AfDB/SEFA, Rockefeller Foundation, TDB Group, NDF, MacArthur Foundation, FirstRand (investors)Coverage: The Meridian legal market record (editorial). A consortium backed the commercial launch of Zafiri, a US$176 million blended-finance permanent capital vehicle for energy access in sub-Saharan Africa. Backers include IFC, AfDB (via SEFA), Rockefeller Foundation, TDB Group, Nordic Development Fund, MacArthur Foundation…


Lead party: IFC, AfDB/SEFA, Rockefeller Foundation, TDB Group, NDF, MacArthur Foundation, FirstRand (investors)

Coverage: The Meridian legal market record (editorial).

A consortium backed the commercial launch of Zafiri, a US$176 million blended-finance permanent capital vehicle for energy access in sub-Saharan Africa. Backers include IFC, AfDB (via SEFA), Rockefeller Foundation, TDB Group, Nordic Development Fund, MacArthur Foundation and FirstRand. It is managed by Inspired Evolution and invests equity in mini-grids, solar home systems and clean cooking. It supports Mission 300. No advisers are named.

Value (as reported): US$176 million.

Parties: Manager: Inspired Evolution; Investors: IFC, AfDB/SEFA, Rockefeller Foundation, TDB Group, NDF, MacArthur Foundation, FirstRand.

Jurisdiction (as reported): Sub-Saharan Africa · Sector (as reported): Energy access / Funds.

Source: LinkedIn firm publication, posted 19 June 2026. Meridian record LI-DL-2026-0106.