Standard Bank and Airnergize Capital partner to drive renewable energy deployment across Africa

We acted as a direct strategic equity partner in this deal, unlocking enterprise-level capital designed to scale both decentralised and utility-scale clean energy projects. This partnership accelerates an asset class that is deeply aligned to continental growth: reliable, sustainable power solutions. 

As Arnold van Wyk, Head of Equity Investments at Standard Bank CIB, notes, “We are thrilled to be partnering with a successful entrepreneur and prolific dealmaker, leading the charge in South Africa’s transition into a cleaner, more connected and sustainably electrified environment.”
Our R750 million equity pledge into Airnergize Capital, the platform under New GX Capital, will support the expansion of sustainable power solutions across Southern and broader Africa. This investment marks a step change in Africa’s clean energy trajectory by backing the capital, platforms and partnerships that unlock renewable energy deployment at scale.

This transaction directly supports our sustainability finance goals to mobilise at least R450 billion by 2028 while enabling credible traction towards our commitment to net-zero financed emissions by 2050. It serves as a tangible example of our ability to connect purpose-led capital to opportunities that fast-track energy security, decarbonisation and long-term socio-economic value.

“Our pledge to Airnergize marks a key milestone in our commitment to accelerating Africa’s energy and infrastructure transition. This partnership will serve as a catalyst for impactful investments in clean energy and related technologies, reinforcing our support for both utility-scale and decentralised projects,” said Willem Els, Vice President, Equity Investments at Standard Bank CIB.

Africa’s pathway to sustained growth cannot be achieved without reliable, clean and affordable power. Sustainable power solutions require equity certainty, flexible structures and capital that moves faster than market friction. By innovating at enterprise level, not just asset by asset, we are enabling development to gather momentum quickly while reducing funding blockers that have historically limited pace. 

Airnergize is focused on delivering measurable environmental and social outcomes. This deal means that Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), with both a commercial and industrial footprint, is set to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy across Southern and broader Africa under the Airnergize Capital umbrella. The platform model enables fast replication and operational scale, making it uniquely capable of delivering real impact in a short period of time. This sustainability finance partnership backs a mature operator with the capacity to unlock power solutions across the continent.