The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) has officially launched its 2025 Call for Proposals, offering early-stage grant financing to companies focused on clean energy solutions in Southern and Eastern Africa.
This funding opportunity is designed to support innovative renewable energy projects, with added support in the form of technical assistance, investment facilitation, and knowledge sharing.
Who Can Apply?
This competitive funding opportunity is open to private companies, start-ups, and social enterprises from anywhere in the world, as long as their projects are based in one or more of the following target countries in Southern and Eastern Africa:
- Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Applicants must show a strong local presence, which can be either through being based in the country, being locally led, or having solid local partnerships.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, companies need to meet the following basic requirements:
- Be a registered legal entity for at least six months before the opening date.
- NGOs, charities, research institutions, and government agencies are not eligible to apply but may participate as project partners.
- Applicants must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the CfP2025 Application Guidelines.
Types of Projects EEP Africa Supports
EEP Africa is particularly interested in early-stage, locally driven clean energy projects that focus on issues such as energy access, clean cooking solutions, energy efficiency, and mobility.
Projects should be actively in development and show potential for financial sustainability.
Here are the specific technology areas the funding supports:
- Residential electricity access
- Productive energy use (for commercial and institutional purposes)
- Mini-grids (both AC and DC)
- Power generation
- Clean cooking solutions (stoves and/or fuels)
- Mobility (electric and/or alternative fuels)
- Energy efficiency
Available Funding
EEP Africa provides grants and repayable grants ranging from EUR 200,000 to EUR 1,000,000.
- For feasibility studies, scale-up, and replication projects, applicants will need to secure 30-50% co-financing depending on the project’s maturity.
- Pilot projects from early-stage companies will also require co-financing.
- Projects by mature companies or those seeking more than EUR 500,000 in funding will automatically be considered repayable.
Full funding details can be found in the Project Implementation Manual and the CfP2025 Application Guidelines.
How to Apply?
The application process has two stages:
- Expression of Interest (EoI) – Applicants must submit an initial proposal. Those longlisted will be invited to pitch their projects.
- Full Proposal – Shortlisted applicants will proceed to the final selection stage.
All proposals must be submitted through the EEP Africa online platform, SmartME Application Portal.
Please note, applications sent via email or social media will not be considered.
Need Assistance?
If you have any questions regarding the Expression of Interest process, you can contact EEP Africa at [email protected] by 14 March 2025.
For technical issues, use the in-platform support function.
For more detailed information, consult the EEP Africa website’s Application Guidelines, the NDF Environmental & Social Policy, and the FAQ Document.
Important Dates and Resources
- Application Deadline: 21 March 2025
- Click HERE to Apply
Make sure to submit your proposal by the deadline to be considered for this exciting funding opportunity!