Research and methodology
Understand the evidence system before using the intelligence.Methodology and definitions stay public because trust should not require a subscription. Market primers, technology analytics and question led research use the paid evidence layer.
Ask AEI
Question led research is included in Individual.Example questions: “operational solar projects in Kenya over 50 MW”, “DFI backed deals in Egypt since 2025”, or “what changed in Zambia project finance this month?”
Ask the evidence, not the open web.
Individual unlocks Ask AEI with source linked answers drawn from the working project, deal and market intelligence layer.
Confidence grading
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| A | Verified against a primary source such as an official disclosure, regulator filing or DFI release. |
| B | A named credible publisher or trade source not yet checked against a primary document. |
| C | A headline, aggregator or social source treated as a lead until corroborated. |
Index methodology
Funding index. Monthly disclosed capital, with debt weighted more heavily than equity and grants because it is the scarcer financing signal.
Capacity index. Megawatts entering the tracker, weighted by project maturity.
Policy index. Monthly policy activity combined with analyst assigned impact scores.
The public homepage shows direction rather than the raw index values. Numerical series are Professional analytics.
Deal type glossary
| project finance | Non or limited recourse debt secured against a single project's cash flows. This is the standard structure for utility scale IPPs. |
| corporate debt | Debt raised against a company's balance sheet rather than one project. This includes refinancings and portfolio facilities. |
| equity raise | New equity into a company or project vehicle, from sponsors, DFI equity arms or funds. |
| ma | An acquisition of a company, project stake or portfolio where control or ownership changes hands. |
| refinancing | Replacement of existing debt, usually to reprice, extend tenor, or release equity. |
| guarantee facility | A DFI or insurer guarantee that covers credit or political risk. It supports a financing but is not the financing itself. |
| grant | Funding that does not need to be repaid, usually for technical assistance or capital support from a DFI or donor. |
| dfi commitment | A commitment approved by a development finance institution board, often before commercial close. |
Deal stage glossary
| announced | Publicly disclosed; terms may still be indicative. |
| mandated | Lead arranger or advisor appointed; financing not yet closed. |
| financial close | Conditions precedent are satisfied and funds are available to draw. Lenders use this as a key bankability milestone. |
| disbursed | Capital has actually moved. |
| pledge | An umbrella programme, memorandum or investment pledge that is not yet binding and is excluded from tracked transaction capital. |
| cancelled | Publicly abandoned or withdrawn. |