Catalyst Investment Management

What Catalyst Investment Management does

Catalyst Investment Management (DBA Catalyst PE) is a Jordan-headquartered private equity fund manager specializing in renewable energy and water sector investments across the Middle East and North Africa. Founded in 2006 as a first mover in MENA renewable energy investing, the firm operates from Amman (operational HQ at Zahran Street 213, Zahran Tower, 6th Circle) and maintains a registered office in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey. It is owned and governed by a senior team led by Founder and Managing Director Ennis Rimawi, with eight named investment, finance, technical, and ESG professionals organized across five departments.

The firm's product platform consists of three fund vehicles: Catalyst Private Equity Fund I (CPEF1, 2006 vintage), Catalyst MENA Clean Energy Fund 1 (CMCF1, USD 57m, 2016 vintage), and the currently active Catalyst MENA Clean Energy Fund 2 (CMCF2). Underlying investments are utility-scale solar PV projects using crystalline technology with fixed tilt or single-axis tracking systems, structured with long-term (20-25 year) power purchase agreements with national off-takers such as NEPCO in Jordan and EETC in Egypt. Across its deployed portfolio the firm has financed projects including Falcon Ma'an (23MWp), Shamsuna (10MW), SP Energy Egypt / Phoenix Power (50MW/65MWp), and the Zara Holding 11.2MWp hospitality solar project, mobilizing over $70m of equity alongside $170m+ of project debt.

Catalyst generates revenue through two streams: (i) fund management fees charged on committed and invested capital from institutional limited partners, and (iii) investment returns and performance fees from portfolio cash flows and exits. Its go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, anchored by anchor commitments from European and Asian development finance institutions and corporate co-investors, and supported by partnerships with the IFC, ICFA, and government / special economic zone authorities. Pricing and fund terms are negotiated bilaterally with institutional investors and are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Catalyst Investment Management

Legal name

Catalyst Investment Management

Website

https://catalystpe.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Catalyst Investment Management is a Jordan-based private equity fund manager that invests institutional capital into utility-scale solar PV and water infrastructure projects across the MENA region through its CPEF1, CMCF1, and CMCF2 climate-focused fund vehicles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Private Equity Fund Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewables & Energy Transition Funds (Solar, Wind, Hydrogen, CCUS) (FSANAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Private Markets (Impact PE/VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure) (FSAAALAG), Project Finance & Capital Structuring (Debt/Tax Equity/Project Bonds) (EUAMAAAD), Energy & Sustainability / Climate Growth Equity (FSANACAG)

Keywords

• Renewable energy investing
• Climate infrastructure funds
• Private equity management
• Solar PV project finance
• MENA clean energy investment

Headquarters

HQ city

Amman

HQ country

Jordan

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fund Management Fees: Catalyst earns management fees as a fund manager deploying capital into climate infrastructure projects for institutional investors and development finance institutions.
2. Investment Returns / Performance Fees: CMCF1 is a USD 57m fund that has delivered top-quartile returns. The fund provides equity investment into solar PV projects in Jordan and Egypt, with returns generated through project cash flows and exits.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Catalyst Investment Management is a specialized MENA-region private equity fund manager that deploys institutional capital into utility-scale renewable energy (primarily solar PV) and climate infrastructure projects in Jordan and Egypt. The firm raises and manages climate-focused investment funds—CPEF1, CMCF1, and CMCF2—that acquire majority or substantial minority equity stakes in greenfield and brownfield projects with long-term offtake agreements, generating returns for limited partners while delivering measurable climate impact.

Product overview

Catalyst Investment Management is a renewable energy and water sector investment management firm offering three distinct fund products: Catalyst MENA Clean Energy Fund 1 (CMCF1) - a USD 57m 2016 vintage solar PV fund, Catalyst MENA Clean Energy Fund 2 (CMCF2) - targeting greenfield and brownfield renewable energy projects in MENA, and Catalyst Private Equity Fund I (CPEF1) - the first MENA fund focused on early-stage energy and water technology ventures. These funds are backed by European and Asian development finance institutions and are structured to generate attractive financial returns while driving climate action. The fund management platform provides proprietary deal origination, technical expertise, and operational support for solar PV projects across Jordan and Egypt.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catalyst Private Equity Fund I Limited (CPEF1) First MENA-focused fund to invest in commercial renewable energy businesses and projects, targeting early-stage energy and water technology ventures in the MENA region. Aimed at institutional and corporate investors.
• Catalyst MENA Clean Energy Fund 1 (CMCF1) A USD 57 million 2016 vintage fund focused on renewable infrastructure, specifically solar PV projects in Jordan and Egypt, with backing from European and Asian development finance institutions and corporate investors. Delivered top-quartile returns for LPs.
• Catalyst MENA Clean Energy Fund 2 (CMCF2) The current active fund, which acquires majority and substantial minority stakes in greenfield and brownfield renewable energy and climate infrastructure projects in MENA with attractive long-term offtake agreements. Targets institutional investors and DFIs.

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered major.

• Maan Development CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFalcon Ma'an Solar Power is located within Ma'an Development Corporation's (semi-sovereign) Solar Park 1. The Ma'an Development Area is a key strategic partner providing the site infrastructure and regulatory framework for solar project development in southern Jordan.
• National Electric Power Company (NEPCO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShamsuna signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with NEPCO, Jordan's national electric power company, providing the offtake certainty for the 10MW solar PV project in Aqaba.
• Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSP Energy Egypt signed a 25-year Renewable Energy PPA with EETC, providing long-term revenue certainty for the 50MW/65MWp Benban Solar Park project in Egypt.
• Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShamsuna project is located within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), benefiting from the regulatory framework and infrastructure of Jordan's special economic zone for the 10MW solar PV installation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alcazar Energy: Alcazar Energy is a Dubai-based independent power producer and developer focused on utility-scale renewable energy projects across the MENA region. Directly comparable to Catalyst as a MENA-centric renewables developer/investor pursuing utility-scale solar IPPs.
• Climate Fund Managers (CFM): CFM is a Dutch-based climate-focused fund manager investing in renewable energy and climate infrastructure in emerging markets alongside DFIs. Closely comparable to Catalyst's DFI-backed climate PE model and emerging-markets renewables focus.
• Adenium Energy Capital: Adenium is a MENA-focused renewable energy private equity firm investing in clean energy infrastructure across the region. Directly comparable to Catalyst given overlapping MENA renewables mandate, DFI-backed structure, and project-finance orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Actis: Actis is a large global investor in energy and infrastructure private equity with significant emerging-markets exposure, including MENA renewables. Comparable as a broader incumbent in EM climate PE, though at much greater scale and geographic breadth than Catalyst.
• responsAbility Investments: responsAbility is a Swiss impact investment manager offering private equity, debt, and blended finance solutions focused on emerging markets and climate themes. Comparable to Catalyst as an impact-aligned EM private capital manager, though it operates a broader, multi-strategy platform.
• Denham Capital: Denham Capital is a global private equity firm focused on sustainable energy and infrastructure, including renewable power in emerging markets. Comparable to Catalyst as a PE investor in renewables infrastructure, though with a much larger AUM and global mandate.
• Mirova Natural Capital: Mirova, the affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, manages dedicated natural capital and sustainable infrastructure strategies including renewables in emerging markets. Comparable to Catalyst on sustainable infrastructure/PE themes, though it operates a much larger and broader platform.

Emerging players

• Lightsmith Group: Lightsmith is a private equity firm dedicated to climate adaptation and resilience investing in emerging markets. Comparable to Catalyst as a thematic climate PE manager partnering with DFIs and institutional investors, though more focused on adaptation than utility-scale solar.

Regional players

• Vantage Capital: Vantage Capital is a leading Africa-focused private equity fund manager with experience in infrastructure and renewables on the continent. Comparable as a regional PE manager deploying capital into African infrastructure, though it does not compete directly in MENA.

Others

• Africa Finance Corporation (AFC): AFC is a multilateral development finance institution that invests in infrastructure and climate projects across Africa. Comparable to Catalyst on the institutional project-finance and DFI-backed model, though geographically focused on Africa and operating at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catalyst-private-equity
• Xx.com/CatalystInvest1

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catalyst Investment Management