Explaining the Innovative Finance ISA

Using your tax free ISA allowance to bring solar access to families in sub-Saharan Africa

Over the past eight years, thousands of UK investors have made a meaningful impact while targeting tax-free returns by investing in the Energise Africa Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA).
The IFISA is an investment vehicle that enables people to use their annual ISA allowance of £20,000 to support organisations driving sustainable development by cutting carbon emissions and bringing clean, affordable electricity to off-grid families in sub-Saharan Africa.

The African energy access gapI
t’s almost impossible to imagine living without access to electricity, but for over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, it’s a reality, meaning they rely on expensive and polluting energy sources like kerosene and diesel generators. Alongside the impact on lives, limited energy access hinders economic development, education, and healthcare. However, solar energy solutions, such as solar home kits funded through Energise Africa investments provide a sustainable alternative, helping to bridge the energy gap, cut carbon emissions and improve lives.

A Tax-efficient investment
By investing through the IFISA, any returns are paid to UK investors without income or capital gains tax, making it a tax-efficient way to grow your portfolio while making a positive impact on lives and the planet. Investments begin at £50 and for new investors, the first £100 is guaranteed. While returns are not guaranteed, the Energise Africa IFISA targets returns of up to 7% for investors.

What is the Energise Africa IFISA?
We recently took part in a short webinar with Finimize where Lisa Ashford, Director of Energise Africa and CEO of Ethex, explained what the Innovative Finance is and how it works, it was a great event and worth a listen, and you can watch a recording here.

Investing in positive climate action
Energise Africa focuses on funding businesses that provide solar energy and sustainable transport solutions to sub-Saharan Africa, reducing reliance on polluting fossil fuels. Investors contribute to lowering carbon emissions and supporting a cleaner, greener future for communities that would otherwise lack access to electricity. And they have an impressive impact record. Since its launch in 2017, investments made through Energise Africa have mitigated more than 190,000 tonnes of CO2 and brought clean and affordable energy access to more than 850,000 people.

Empowering African families
Access to electricity transforms lives, enabling children to study after dark, powering essential appliances, supporting small businesses to grow, and advancing gender equality. Investments via Energise Africa help provide families with affordable solar energy solutions, improving education, health, and economic opportunities.

The solar businesses funded by Energise Africa offer solar home kits to families on a pay- go basis, with affordable repayments, meaning households can access solar kits and appliances they otherwise may not be able to afford.

Energise Africa investors have funded projects from Altech, a psy-go solar business in the DRC. For Amina and her family in Goma, DRC, access to solar lighting from Altech has enabled them to undertake activities like cooking and homework in the dark evenings. This reliable and affordable energy source has replaced costly and unreliable alternatives like candles and batteries, providing financial savings and peace of mind against fire hazards.
Amina’s children said   “They make doing our homework and studying our school subjects after dark easy, without worrying about any power cuts. We now have power all the time.”

You can join the solar revolution
By choosing the Energise Africa IFISA, you’re not just growing your ethical investment portfolio and targeting a financial return—you’re helping to build a sustainable future for people in rural Africa. Visit energiseafrica.com to learn how you can make your money work for you and the planet by investing in solar energy solutions that transform lives.