Investing for Employment

Overview

The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) is an investment mechanism established by KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It operates as part of the Special Initiative 'Decent Work for a Just Transition' under the brand Invest for Jobs. The primary objective of IFE is to collaborate with companies to create good jobs and improve working conditions and social protection in eight African partner countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia. As of December 2025, IFE is co-financing more than 50 investment projects across these countries, many of which have already created a significant number of jobs. The facility supports investment projects that create a substantial number of jobs with access to social protection programs. It provides grants ranging from EUR 650,000 to EUR 10 million per project for the job creation component, with a preference for projects that combine job creation with social protection measures. The grant amount per job created must not exceed EUR 10,000, and projects with a better grant-to-job ratio have better chances of being selected. IFE only finances mature projects that have not yet started and offer reasonable chances of being operationally and financially sustainable. Applicants must provide their own financial contributions towards the overall project expenditure in the required proportion. The specific grant amount awarded depends on the financial capabilities of the applicant and the project category. Grants are disbursed during the investment phase of the project and in accordance with achieved milestones. From 2020 to 2022, IFE implemented a Corona Response Programme on behalf of the German Federal Government, which has now ended. For more information about IFE and its current calls for proposals, please visit their official website.

Investment Focus

• Projects must create a significant number of jobs with access to social protection programs.
• Preference is given to projects that combine job creation with social protection measures.
• The grant amount per job created must not exceed EUR 10,000.
• Projects must be mature and not yet started, with reasonable chances of being operationally and financially sustainable.
• Applicants must provide their own financial contributions towards the overall project expenditure in the required proportion.