
The Green Hydrogen Opportunity
Green hydrogen is gaining momentum as a key energy solution for hard-to-abate sectors that cannot be electrified. However, scaling the sector requires significant development finance. We believe green hydrogen is both a critical pathway and a solution for the global energy transition – one where Southern Africa holds a unique advantage. The region combines deep technical expertise and established capital markets with world-class solar and wind resources, essential for large-scale green hydrogen production. However, the ultimate enabler is blended finance - bringing together public and private sector investment to de-risk and scale projects across the green hydrogen value chain.
Climate Fund Managers (CFM), a climate-focused blended finance investment manager co-owned by Sanlam Infraworks, has launched Climate Investor Three (CI3): a blended finance facility dedicated to accelerating the growth of the energy transition and green hydrogen sectors in emerging markets.
CI3 is a family of funds comprising a feeder fund, CI3 Global, and country-specific underlying funds into which it can invest, including:
1. The SA-H2 Fund:
A blended finance facility supported by Sanlam focused on mobilising large-scale investment into the energy transition and green hydrogen sector in South Africa
2. SDG Namibia One Fund:
Namibia’s dedicated blended finance facility focused on supporting the energy transition and green hydrogen sector in Namibia.
Climate Fund Managers
Climate Fund Managers (CFM) is a climate-focused blended finance investment manager operating across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Co-owned by Sanlam Infraworks, CFM raises and deploys blended climate finance funds, working in partnership to deliver climate-resilient solutions at scale and pace.
In May 2023, CFM announced the close of their first debt-for-climate conversion in Ecuador. This landmark transaction, which CFM facilitated through its marine ecosystem venture, Oceans Finance Company (OFC), will protect one of the planet’s most important ecosystems - the Galapagos Islands.
• In 2017 we joined Dutch Development Bank, FMO, as shareholder of CFM. Through this partnership, we can respond to the urgent climate crisis the world faces, particularly in emerging markets
• CFM uses blended finance structuring to attract public and private capital into key areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, including renewable energy, energy