DEG Funding: German Development Finance for Private Companies
62 matching capital sources on the ASFIP database · Last checked October 2026
DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft) is the private-sector arm of Germany's KfW Group. It finances private companies in developing and emerging countries through long-term loans, equity and mezzanine finance.
DEG is one of the few DFIs with a programme aimed at smaller, growing companies — its up-scaling programme can co-finance pilots and expansions where the amount is below DEG's normal ticket size.
What DEG finances
Direct investments usually range from about €5 million to €25 million or more, for manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, renewable energy and financial institutions. DEG also offers business support services and promotional programmes funded by the German government.
How to approach DEG
Before making contact, have a one-page summary ready: what the project is, where it is, how much you need and in what form (loan, equity, grant), what you have already raised, and the climate or development impact you can measure.
Match your ask to the funder's real ticket size and instruments. Most rejections come from asking the wrong funder for the wrong thing — for example asking a lender for a small grant, or an equity investor for early feasibility money.
The funders
Each profile shows mandate, instruments and sector appetite. Verified contacts and application routes are available to members.
- DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und EntwicklungsgesellschaftDFI · GermanyGerman DFI providing long-term finance to private enterprises in Africa.DebtEquityMezzanine
- Land Degradation Neutrality FundBlended Finance Facility · FranceDebtEquityPatient Debt
- FMO - Dutch Entrepreneurial Development BankDFI · NetherlandsDutch development bank focused on energy, agribusiness and financial institutions in Africa.DebtConcessional DebtEquity
- U.S. International Development Finance CorporationDFI · United StatesUS development finance institution mobilising private capital into emerging markets.DebtEquityPolitical Risk Insurance
- British International InvestmentDFI · United KingdomUK development finance institution investing in productive, sustainable and inclusive African businesses.DebtEquityMezzanine
- ProparcoDFI · FrancePrivate-sector arm of Agence Française de Développement, active across Francophone and Anglophone Africa.DebtConcessional DebtEquity
- SwedfundDFI · SwedenSwedish DFI investing in sustainable businesses and energy access in Africa.DebtEquityFund Investments
Showing 7 of 62 matching capital sources. The remaining 55 — including their verified routes and eligibility criteria — are reserved for members.
Common questions
- What is DEG?
- DEG is a German development finance institution, part of the KfW Group, that finances private companies in developing and emerging countries.
- Does DEG fund small businesses?
- Its up-scaling programme supports smaller, fast-growing companies with smaller co-financing amounts; otherwise investments are usually several million euros.
- Is DEG the same as KfW?
- DEG is a subsidiary of KfW. KfW Development Bank works mainly with governments; DEG works with private companies.
Related guides
Official sources: DEG. Reviewed by the iSustain Global research team against funders' published criteria.