Cologne – October 28, 2026 -- DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft has committed its 100th ImpactConnect financing, a €5 million loan to KBE Tunisie, a subsidiary of Germany's KBE Group. The loan funds a new production site in Monastir, Tunisia.
ImpactConnect has provided €345 million in loans across 25 markets since 2019
The program has co-financed investments by German companies in 25 emerging markets since its 2019 launch. Companies contributed roughly €350 million of their own funds alongside the €345 million in ImpactConnect loans.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provides the funding. ImpactConnect is the second pillar of DEG's financing offer for German companies, next to DEG's own-funds financing.
KBE Tunisie plans up to 110 new jobs and a 2 MW solar plant in Monastir
KBE makes cables and cable systems for the automotive, electronics and solar industries. KBE Tunisie produces copper wires, copper strands and electric cables. At the new site it plans to create up to 110 additional jobs and to install a 2 MW photovoltaic system for its power supply. The company is also introducing measures to improve occupational health and safety.
KBE has worked with DEG since 2024. A first ImpactConnect loan let KBE Tunisie significantly expand its existing machinery. The Monastir plant will be its second site in Tunisia, according to Dr. Jörg Blumentritt, supervisory board member of KBE Tunisie.
Repaid funds can be relent, DEG's German Business head says
Jan Müller, head of German Business at DEG, said mid-sized companies need reliable access to long-term capital for smaller investments in developing and emerging countries. He said repaid funds can be reused for new financings and that the program mobilizes additional private capital, so budget funds have a multiplier effect.
Program evolved from the Africa-focused AfricaConnect into a worldwide offer
The program launched in 2019 as AfricaConnect, part of BMZ's development investment fund. It is now open worldwide to German and European companies making development-oriented investments in developing and emerging countries. Loans range from €500,000 to €10 million and are available in euros, US dollars and selected local currencies.
German mid-sized companies are a key client group for DEG. In 2025 it provided a record €822 million for them, including financing for local companies that buy German equipment.