Call For Applications: The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) Grant Financing for Clean Energy Innovations in Eastern and Southern Africa

The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) has opened its 2025 Call for Proposals, offering early-stage grant financing to companies promoting clean energy solutions in Southern and Eastern Africa. This is a competitive funding opportunity designed to support innovative renewable energy projects, with financing supplemented by technical assistance, investment facilitation, and knowledge sharing.

Who Can Apply?

Private companies, start-ups, and social enterprises from any country can apply, provided they have projects in one or more of the EEP Africa target countries:

• 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 demonstrate a strong local presence, either by being based in the country, being locally led, or having solid local partnerships.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a registered legal entity for at least six months prior to the opening date.
• NGOs, charities, research institutions, and government agencies are not eligible but may participate as project partners.
• Must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the CfP2025 Application Guidelines.

What Kind of Projects Are Supported?

EEP Africa is seeking early-stage, locally driven clean energy projects that address energy access, productive energy use, mini-grids, clean cooking, mobility, and energy efficiency. Eligible projects must be in active development and show clear potential for financial sustainability.

Technology Areas Supported

• Residential electricity access
• Productive uses of energy (commercial and institutional)
• Mini-grids (AC or DC)
• Power generation
• Clean cooking (stoves and/or fuels)
• Mobility (electric and/or fuels)
• Energy efficiency

Funding Available

EEP Africa offers grants and repayable grants ranging from EUR 200,000 to 1,000,000.

• Feasibility studies, scale-up, and replication projects require 30-50% co-financing, depending on project maturity.
• Pilot projects by early-stage companies require co-financing.
• Projects by mature companies or over EUR 500,000 are automatically repayable.

Full funding details can be found in the Project Implementation Manual and CfP2025 Application Guidelines.

How to Apply?

The application process consists of two stages:

1. Expression of Interest (EoI) – Applicants submit an initial proposal. Longlisted candidates will be invited to a pitching session.
2. Full Proposal – Shortlisted applicants proceed to the final selection stage.

All proposals must be submitted via the EEP Africa online platform: SmartME Application Portal

Note: Applications sent via email or social media will not be considered.

Need Assistance?

• Questions on the EoI application process should be sent to [email protected] no later than 14 March 2025.
• Use the in-platform support function for technical issues.

For more information, consult the EEP Africa website’s Application Guidelines, NDF Environmental & Social Policy, and FAQ Document.

Useful Resources

• Application Guidelines: Call for Proposals 2025 (PDF)
• NDF Environmental & Social Policy (PDF)
• NDF Policy on Anticorruption and Integrity (PDF)
• Project Implementation Manual February 2025 (PDF)

Deadline: 21 March 2025 

Click HERE to Apply