Press Release from 2026-10-27 / DEG
DEG commits 100th ImpactConnect financing for German SMEs
- ImpactConnect loan for KBE Tunisie
- EUR 345 million provided for investments by German companies in 25 countries since the programme's launch
- From a regional programme to a global financing offering
By providing a EUR 5 million loan for KBE Tunisie, a company belonging to Germany's KBE Group, DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH has now committed its 100th ImpactConnect financing. KBE manufactures cables and wiring systems for the automotive, electronics and solar industries. Since the programme was launched in 2019, DEG has co-financed investments by German companies in 25 emerging markets through ImpactConnect. For this purpose, ImpactConnect loans totalling EUR 345 million have been provided, complemented by around EUR 350 million coming from the companies themselves.
The programme, developed and implemented by DEG, is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Alongside financing from DEG's own funds, it forms the second pillar of DEG's financing offering for German companies.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular need reliable access to long-term capital for smaller-scale investments in developing and emerging markets. ImpactConnect supports them in a pragmatic, straightforward and flexible manner. In this way, we strengthen the international competitiveness of German SMEs while linking investments with job creation, local value creation and higher environmental and social standards on the ground. At the same time, repaid funds can be redeployed for new financings and help mobilise additional private capital. The budget funds provided therefore generate impact multiple times over,” commented Jan Müller, Head of the German Business Department at DEG.
With its 100th ImpactConnect financing, DEG is supporting KBE Tunisie in establishing a production facility in Monastir. The company manufactures copper wires, copper strands and electrical cables for the automotive, electronics and solar industries. At the new site, KBE Tunisie plans to create up to 110 additional jobs and use solar power to meet its energy needs. The company is also implementing measures to strengthen occupational health and safety standards for its employees.
“Since 2024, DEG has been a reliable financing partner for us. Having significantly expanded our existing machinery through an initial ImpactConnect loan, we are now taking the next step together and establishing a second production site in Tunisia,” said Dr Jörg Blumentritt, Member of the Supervisory Board of KBE Tunisie, on the occasion of the signing ceremony. “Sustainability remains at the centre of our approach. Among other investments, we are installing a 2MW photovoltaic system. This will enable us to expand production capacity, create new jobs in Tunisia and further strengthen our sustainable energy supply.”
ImpactConnect enables German and European companies to invest in key markets while creating jobs and generating local value creation in the investment countries. Accompanying environmental and social measures further enhance the quality and long-term sustainability of these investments. Originally launched in 2019 under the name AfricaConnect as part of BMZ's Development Investment Fund, the programme is now available to German and European companies undertaking investments with development impact in developing and emerging markets worldwide. ImpactConnect offers long-term loans ranging from EUR 500,000 to EUR 10 million in euro, US dollars and selected local currencies.
German SMEs are an important customer segment for DEG. In 2025, DEG provided a record volume of EUR 822 million for this target group. This also includes financing for local companies purchasing German machinery and equipment, for example.