Geoeconomic challenges and environmental sustainability risks are leading to fundamental changes in the economic framework in which many companies operate, particularly in developing and emerging market countries. DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH therefore provides specific financing and support for customers’ investments and transformation processes that have a sustainable impact, to make its customers more resilient and fit for the future.

The results of the most recent portfolio analysis, documented in the current Development Report, highlight the impact of this strategy. Companies in the DEG portfolio provided decent jobs for around three million people and generated EUR 185 billion in local income in 2025. They also produced 35 terawatt hours of electricity from renewable energy sources, which can supply over 37 million people and reduces CO2 emissions. 61% of DEG customers invested in innovative technologies, products or processes. 88% of companies were also involved in charitable activities in fields such as education and health.

The activities of telecommunications provider IPI Group Holding Limited (IPI), co-financed by DEG, are an example of this. The company operates more than 30,000 telecommunications towers in Africa and the Middle East. As many sites are not connected to the public electricity grid, IPI relies on a combination of solar power and battery systems to supply energy to the masts. As a result, around 40 per cent less fossil energy is being used today than was previously needed. DEG has financed these investments since 2019 through long-term loans and also supports the company with further development of its environmental and social management system.

“We provide targeted support for transformative, sustainably successful business models of private enterprises in developing and emerging market countries. Funding is just one lever, particularly in view of the significant global challenges. Real impact will be achieved when strategy and resources deployed such as capital, expertise, good corporate governance and collaborative support all work together. That’s where DEG comes in,” said Roland Siller, CEO of DEG, when the report was published. “With our subsidiary DEG Impulse, we initiated more than 80 transformation projects in 2025 alone. We also offered advice in the areas of climate and resource protection, sustainable supply chains, human resources and talent development,” Siller continued.

These initiatives play a specific role in helping private companies to grow successfully, modernise and continue to professionalise their business practices and processes. This also involves substantial contributions from the private sector to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure).

DEG is consistently pursuing its strategic approach with its expanded Sustainability Commitments. The impact and climate commitments, which have been a core part of DEG’s activities since 2022, have now been extended to strengthen the approach to promote private business in line with good international environmental and social practice. The objective is to systematically reinforce the interlinkages between impact, climate, and environmental and social standards over the entire investment cycle when assessing and managing an investment.

You can find more information about the results in DEG’s Development Report and the status of the sustainability commitments at https://deg-entwicklungsbericht.de/