Opportunities

Deadline

We invest in and support impactful startups building agritech, foodtech and climate tech solutions in Africa. Apply to our program!

Africa’s Business Heroes supports talented African entrepreneurs through its annual Prize competition. Each year, ten exceptional finalists are selected to receive a share of USD 1.5 million in grant funding, with the top winner receiving up to USD 300,000. In addition to the funding, finalists gain exclusive access to training, mentorship, publicity, and a vibrant network of like-minded African business leaders.

Bridge for Billions in partnership with EDP launches the 3rd edition of our EDP Hope Fund Incubation Program. This 5-month, online, free and flexible initiative aims to support social entrepreneurs all over the world in the Fair Energy Transition sector benefitting underserved communities.

The 8th edition has an endowment of 1 million euros to invest in sustainable and clean energy projects, which helps to alleviate energy poverty on our planet. Organizations may apply for co-funding from 50.000 euros to 150.000 euros, covering up to 75% of the project costs of non-profit entities and up to 50% of the project costs of for-profit entities.

New organizations only. Most awardees are first-time entrepreneurs who have not yet launched or raised outside funding.
  • We especially encourage applicants from low- and middle-income countries.

  • Orgs with more than 18 months of full-time operations or more than $30,000 USD raised typically not supported.

Existing organizations considered only if your core focus is distributing an existing, evidence-based poverty intervention.

Open end

The ZEDSI programme is a targeted results and performance-based incentive to stimulate sustained energy utilisation, through productive uses of energy in agri-value chains, businesses, public institutions and households,  leading to rural development, improved revenues and commercial viability of  mini-grid projects, with welfare impact for over a hundred thousand beneficiaries.

The Standalone Solar Component of Nigeria DARES is a $300 million initiative to improve access to affordable standalone solar systems for households, MSMEs, and farmers. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, varying by location.

The Performance-Based Grant (PBG) provides targeted financial support to mini-grid developers to accelerate electricity access in unserved and underserved communities. Grants are awarded based on verified performance, ensuring that funds directly contribute to real connections and sustainable project delivery.

For isolated mini-grids, incentives are calculated per new customer connection. For interconnected mini-grids, subsidies are provided as a percentage of capital expenditure (CAPEX) or a fixed amount per installed capacity (US$/kW or MW).

This year, thanks to funding from Good Energies, 60 Decibels is offering 10 fully subsidised customer insights and impact measurement studies. You are eligible for consideration if your company is delivering energy products/services directly to end-users and is also locally-owned and/or women-led.

Are you an innovator, entrepreneur, NGOs, Entrepreneurship Support Organisation, investor, or governmental organisation passionate about making a positive impact in the face of climate change? We invite you to join the Adaptation Innovation Cluster in Tanzania and be at the forefront of building a resilient future for our communities.

OPEN will invest up to $100,000 in women-led businesses within the energy sector in Africa, growing their business by providing access to funds and expertise to maximise their impact and profitability.
We are looking for  women-led businesses in the Energy sector with an annual turnover of more than 25,000USD per year and with at least 3 employees.

Working in partnership with Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), UECCC has put in place a loan programme that enables households and commercial enterprises acquire solar systems on credit.
The objective of the programme is to address the affordability barrier posed by the initial upfront cost of acquiring solar systems.

We invest equity, convertible debt, and debt in early and growth-stage businesses that provide climate-smart solutions, and demonstrate sustainable competitive advantage, good management, and ethical business practices in agribusiness, commercial forestry, renewable energy, water, and waste management.
We seek to maximize inclusive impact through commercially sustainable SMEs.
For Early Stage Businesses, we provide US$ 50,000 – US$ 200,000 in debt, convertible debt, and /or equity, business growth support for max. 7 years tenure.
For Growth Stage Businesses, we provide US$ 100,000 – US$ 1 million in debt, convertible debt and /or equity, business growth support for max. 7 years tenure.

Spark+ Africa Fund is a $70 million impact investment fund that invests in scalable, next-generation companies offering clean, modern distributed energy solutions for cooking to the mass market in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is a true “triple bottom line” impact fund, financing profitable and scalable companies tapping into a massive total addressable market for cooking energy solutions and enabling millions of African families to stay safe and healthy and save time and money.

DEG provides funding of 500,000 to 749,000 EUR, which constitutes a maximum of 50% of the total investment volume. Private sponsors must contribute a substantial share of equity (at least 25% of total investment volume). DEG’s funds must be repaid in the event of success of the company (depending on pre-defined financial criteria such revenue or profit).

SCAF provides financial support on a cost-sharing and co-financing basis via private equity funds, venture capital funds and project development companies through its three Support Lines. SCAF does not support individual projects on a one-off basis.