Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF)

Overview

Created in 2007 by the European Commission and European Union Member States, the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF) was the first EU “blending instrument” with the objective of promoting infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa with a regional impact. “Blending” means combining long-term investments from development finance institutions (loans, risk capital) with grant monies to gain financial and qualitative leverage as well as project sustainability. Another objective of Blending is the promotion of cooperation and coordination between European and non-European aid actors.

EU-AITF donor contributions stem from the European Development Fund (EDF) budget and from several European Union Member States.

Up until 2019, the EU-AITF offered grant support from two different envelopes:
→ The Regional envelope promoting regional infrastructure projects (energy, transport, water, ICT) cross-border projects or national projects with a demonstrable regional impact on two or more countries.

→ The SE4ALL envelope supporting regional, national and local energy projects targeting SE4ALL objectives:

• Ensure universal access to modern energy services.
• Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
• Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.