EEP Africa Call for Proposals Grant

EEP Africa Call for Proposals Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa)
Amount: €200,000 - €500,000
Last Updated: March 28, 2026

Summary

The EEP Africa Call for Proposals invites innovative early-stage clean energy projects in Southern and Eastern Africa. The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund, supported by Nordic Development Fund and various countries, offers financial assistance to enhance clean energy access and development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate innovation, active project development, and local commitment. Grants range from EUR 200,000 to 1,000,000, requiring co-financing of 30-50% of the total project budget. This initiative aims to support sustainable development and job creation.

Overview

NOTE: The application process is a two-stage process; Expression of Interest (EOI) and a detailed Full Proposal. After the EOI has been submitted, EEP Africa will hold a virtual bootcamp followed by pitching sessions for those applicants that are longlisted. Based on the pitch-interviews, applicants are shortlisted to proceed to full proposal stage. The LOI deadline represents the Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline. About EEP Africa The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) is a clean energy financing facility hosted and managed by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) with funding from Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, NDF, Norway and Switzerland. It is guided by a vision for a climate-resilient, zero-carbon future with the aim of contributing to the achievement of the Paris Agreement on climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). EEP Africa provides risk-tolerant early-stage grant and repayable grant financing for locally-driven innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business and delivery models in 17 countries across Southern and Eastern Africa. Core Activities EEP Africa focuses on three core activities: Clean Energy Financing: EEP Africa provides funding through open, competitive calls for proposals, offering both grants and repayable grants on a co-financing basis to early-stage innovative projects that are in active development.Investment Facilitation (IF) and Business Development Support (BDS): EEP Africa improves the investment readiness of projects and companies through targeted business support services and by facilitating linkages with the global investor community.Knowledge, Policy and Partnerships: EEP Africa leverages the applied learning happening inside its diverse portfolio to develop a wide range of knowledge products, events and partnerships that advance best practices in the clean energy sector. EEP Africa Call for Proposals During an open call, EEP Africa invites applications from early stage off-grid and on-grid clean energy projects in active development phase in one or more of the target countries. All proposed projects need to demonstrate clear additionality and rationale for EEP Africa funding. Projects are evaluated in terms of Concept Innovation, Development Impact, and Business Model & Financial Sustainability. Additional evaluation criteria are applied in themed calls. In recent calls, grants and repayable grants between EUR 200,000 and EUR 1 million have been awarded, with a minimum co-financing requirement of 30%. General characteristics Innovation - The applicant is expected to explain in what way their project is innovative within the market and geographic context where it will be implemented. Innovation can be demonstrated in the technology and proposed product, in the business model (including the financing model, distribution approach, service, etc.), in partnerships or other innovations that do not fall under these three categories. Innovation can also include replication and scaling of comparatively mature and tested technologies or business models into new nascent markets.Active development – The applicant needs to demonstrate that they have actively worked on the proposed project before the launch of the EoI. Applicants should provide some or all of the following proof: 1) company registration at least 6 months prior to the EoI opening date (mandatory), 2) founding staff activity, 3) seed equity invested, 4) other evidence such as e.g., any relevant partnerships are in place, minimum viable product, business model is well designed.Additionality – The applicant needs to prove that the project would not proceed without EEP Africa funding or other public money and that the project is unlikely to be financed by commercial financiers. The grant should not be a substitute for private sector financing but instead bridge the gap where private sector money would be too risk-averse. The grant is hence justified and necessary to de-risk the early stages of a promising technology, business or delivery model.Locally-driven – The applicant needs to demonstrate that they are committed to sustainable long-term local development. Project implementation, business models and partnerships should be rooted in the local context. Local engagement can be demonstrated through local company registration and years of operation in the country and/or EEP Africa region, majority local ownership of the company, and/or a strong existing local team/partner. Funding Applicants can apply for grants and repayable grants between EUR 200,000 — 500,000. The minimum required co-financing is 30-50% of the total project budget depending on the project phase and company maturity. Furthermore, the Investment Committee may determine additional repayability of funds.

Eligibility

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