Catalyst

Last updated: 03/11/2026

Program Overview

Program description and objectives:

Catalyst takes a more flexible approach to risk than BII’s Growth capital to shape nascent markets and support high-impact businesses, funds and infrastructure with a credible path to commercial sustainability. Under BII’s 2026–31 strategy, Catalyst supports priority catalytic-capital programmes (Energy access, e-mobility, circular economy, transmission and distribution, financial inclusion, and agricultural value chain solutions), frontier market growth and development, and structures that mobilise private capital.

Instrument types offered:

Guarantees, Concessional and catalytic debt, Catalytic equity

Potential instrument structures offered (optional):

Junior, mezzanine, or other subordinated non-convertible debtJunior, mezzanine, or other subordinated convertible debtFlexible loansNon-subordinated debtOtherVenture capital (Seed, Series A, B, C)First-loss equity in investment vehiclesPreferred equityOrdinary equity

Institutions this program is normally offered to:

Commercial banks, Microfinance institutions, Investment funds, Corporates (including SMEs)

Eligible regions:

AfricaAsia

Eligible intermediate regions (optional):

Eastern AfricaMiddle AfricaNorthern AfricaSouthern AfricaWestern AfricaSouth-eastern AsiaSouthern Asia

Eligible sectors:

AgricultureEnergyFinancial servicesGeneral servicesIndustry and tradeInfrastructure (Non - Energy)Other

Eligible subsectors (optional):

ManufacturingTechnology and Telecommunications

Program status:

Open

Formal application process:

Program webpage (optional):

https://www.bii.co.uk/en/about/our-company/investment-portfolios/catalyst/

Primary point of contact for this program:

Request more information?

Optional offering details

Main currencies available:

Selected Local Currencies, USD - US dollar

Preferred ticket size range (in USD equivalent)

Debt, equity, or guarantee:

$5 million - 10 million USD, $10 million - 20 million USD, $20 million - 50 million USD

Technical assistance offered:

TA is usually prioritised for Catalytic Capital investments, subject to funding availability and strategic priorities.

Examples of past successful projects:

https://www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insight/insight/articles/how-does-bii-drive-change-in-standalone-solar-markets-in-kenya-and-west-africa/?fl=true https://www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insight/insight/articles/how-does-bii-drive-change-in-indias-digital-agriculture-market/?fl=true https://www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insight/insight/articles/how-does-bii-drive-change-in-internet-service-provision-in-nepal/?fl=true

Optional eligibility information

Impact thematic focus:

Gender lens investingClimate - Cross-cutting (adaptation and mitigation)Social inclusionOther

Description of impact objectives or requirements:

Our catalytic capital toolkit is deployed using a strategic approach in service of BII’s organisational impact objectives including market level impact, frontier markets and mobilisation.

Other eligibility criteria:

Where relevant, we apply the DFI Enhanced Blended Concessional Finance Principles for Private Sector Projects to guide the use of our catalytic capital. Catalytic capital transactions are also subject to an assessment of risk, impact and deal dynamics.

Optional application process information

Pre-accreditation requirement:

Disclaimer

All information on catalytic capital providers and programs was submitted to GCBC by third party capital providers. The Catalytic Capital repository is an open-access online tool that lists information provided by catalytic capital providers in central location for public use.