International Development Grant

Canada Investment Fund for Africa

Project Number: CA-3-A032944001

Status: Operational

Country/Region: Unknown

Regional Focus:

Africa 100%

Maximum Contribution: $43,894,156.00

Start Date: July 14, 2005

End Date: December 30, 2016

Duration: 11.5 years

Project Description

The Canada Investment Fund for Africa (CIFA) is a Government of Canada initiative created to provide risk capital for investment in Africa; as such it is an important component of Canada’s contribution to private sector development in Africa. The Government of Canada investment of $100 million has leveraged an additional $160 million for investments in fifteen individual African companies in the oil and gas mining consumer goods financial services agribusiness manufacturing and logistics sectors as well as two regional equity funds targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Progress & Results Achieved

Results as of March 2012 include: The Canada Investment Fund for Africa (CIFA) has fully closed out its investment in five of the companies and has partially closed out investments in another five companies and the two funds for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) generating returns of capital and profits to Canada in excess of $30 million. The remaining CIFA investments are still recovering from the effects of the global financial crisis. The market value of remaining Canada’s investment in CIFA was US$45 million as of March 31 2012. CIFA investments continue to achieve development results such as introducing new financial products for SME development introducing new technologies in production sectors and promoting corporate social responsibility measures in infrastructure development health and education in local communities affected by extractive and mineral sector investments. These results are contributing to the creation and development of long-term viable businesses that have sustainable economic and social benefits such as: sustainable job creation improved infrastructure long-term mobilization of capital technology transfer increased tax revenues increased foreign exchange and improved business practices.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
CIFA GP Limited

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
WGM Africa

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Formal sector financial intermediaries 10%
Privatization 20%
Industrial development 30%
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development 10%
Mineral prospection and exploration 30%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP

Budget Breakdown
2005-04-01 to 2006-03-31 $43,894,156 CAD
Geographic Information
200
Project Number: CA-3-A032944001