The European Investment Bank (EIB) and South Africa’s FirstRand Bank have jointly invested €400 million (R7.9 billion) into various solar and wind energy projects across South Africa. This partnership aims to increase private-sector energy generation, strengthen energy security, and reduce the country’s ongoing power shortages. FirstRand is matching EIB’s €200 million ($221.82 million) loan as part of Europe’s Global Gateway initiative, a strategy focused on clean and sustainable infrastructure. EIB, a key partner in the