Green Mini-Grids Market Development Program Grant
In context
This call is open to non-profits, social enterprises and startups and 2 others, at prototype and pilot stage, pre-seed and seed stage. Coverage is read from the notice itself: Africa.
This programme accelerates electricity access to underserved populations in Africa through clean energy mini-grid deployment and investment environment support. It targets energy access and renewable energy infrastructure in underserved regions.
About this grant
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) is a multi-donor Special Fund managed by the African Development Bank that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency across Africa. SEFA offers technical assistance grants and concessional finance instruments including results-based financing, loans, and equity instruments to remove market barriers, build project pipelines, and improve the risk-return profile of investments. The fund supports three strategic priorities: green baseload power to increase renewable energy penetration in power systems, green mini-grids to accelerate electricity access to underserved populations through clean energy solutions, and energy efficiency improvements across various technologies and business models including clean cooking and pico-solar. SEFA's overarching goal is to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, aligned with the New Deal on Energy for Africa and Sustainable Development Goal 7. Established in 2011 with initial support from Denmark, SEFA has received contributions from the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Germany, as well as from the Nordic Development Fund and the Global Energy Alliance from the People and Planet. The fund has spearheaded the African Development Bank's engagement in green mini-grids through its Market Development Program and has catalyzed significant blended-finance initiatives including the Africa Renewable Energy Fund and the Facility for Energy Inclusion.
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Eligibility
Technical assistance grants are available to both public and private sector entities. The fund supports interventions in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green mini-grids across Africa. However, as of the time of this page content, SEFA is at full capacity and not accepting new project applications.
Key requirements
- ✓Focus on clean energy mini-grid solutions for electricity access
- ✓Target underserved populations in African countries
- ✓Support for creating enabling investment environments and policy frameworks
- ✓Country-focused implementation approach
Recent past awardees
Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.
- Metier Fund · 2020 · $20M
- Green mini-grid projects across Sub Saharan Africa · 2020 · $760K
Frequently asked questions
- Who can apply for Green Mini-Grids Market Development Program?
- Eligibility covers organisations in AFRICA; nonprofit, social-enterprise, startup, sme, local-authority. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.
Relevant sectors
About this sector
Renewable energy funding covers solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy, from early research to grid-scale deployment. Public money tends to back demonstration, grid connection and access to energy in emerging markets, while procurement notices buy installation, operation and maintenance. Calls often ask for proof of resource assessment, permitting progress and local partners.
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