Development Finance Institutions — including the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, Proparco and others — represent one of the most significant sources of long-term capital for African projects. Yet many project developers find DFI engagement confusing and demanding because they are not familiar with what DFIs actually require.
What DFIs Require
DFIs require technical credibility, financial bankability, ESG compliance, a competent management team, and a clear development impact narrative. Projects that present all of these clearly are significantly more likely to progress successfully through the funding process.