The AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) (www.aecfafrica.org), is the leading African-based development organization that supports innovative commercial businesses in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting resilient communities and creating jobs. The AECF has raised over US$495 million to date and provides catalytic funding to enterprises in 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa by investing in businesses that struggle to meet traditional risk-return standards for commercial investors.
The programme aims to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development and enhanced climate resilience for underserved markets in Ethiopia by catalyzing private sector investment to improve agricultural productivity, food security, and household energy access. The facility complements Ethiopia’s National Electrification Program (NEP 2.0) and National Sustainable Energy Development Strategy (2024–2030), which emphasize the role of decentralized renewable solutions in achieving universal access and climate resilience.
To be eligible for funding, private sector companies must meet the following criteria:
- Request a grant within the stipulated range.
- Be legally registered and physically established in Ethiopia as a for-profit company and must have operated for a period of no less than two (2) full accounting years at the time of application.
- Annual turnover for the most recent year should be more than 50% of the grant amount requested.
- Be a registered (or willing to register prior to the start of the investment), private sector enterprise that is aligned with the focus value chains.
For more information, read the term sheet in the following link.
Thank you for initiating this application process.
The AECF team invites you to complete this concept note questionnaire as part of the competitive pre-qualification process of potential companies in the Renewable Energy and Climate Technologies (REACT) Kenya Programme. This initiative aims to contribute to Kenya’s green growth by providing low-carbon and lower-polluting employment opportunities, increasing income, enhancing resilience, and improving the quality of life.
This step involves submitting the initial concept note request, which outlines your proposed project idea to the REACT Kenya Challenge Fund.
You must complete all required fields to complete the application process. All required fields are indicated (required).
You can save your progress and return to the app at any time by clicking the “Save Draft” button at the bottom of the form. The form automatically saves your progress; however, we recommend manually saving your progress.
Don't forget to click the "Submit" button at the end of the form. The AECF can only access your concept note after you submit it. We will send you a confirmation email once you submit your application.
The applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve rolling basis until all the available grant funds are awarded.
This application process will require the applicant to share personal data. AECF complies with data protection laws and regulations in Kenya, this data will therefore be processed within the framework of the subject's right to privacy.
Download the project Term sheet using the links provided below
Result Based Finance Term sheet
Milestone Based Grants Term sheet
If you would like further clarification regarding the concept note, please email us at
AECFREACTKenya@aecfafrica.org.
DISCLAIMER
This call for application is not binding upon The AECF and no legal right or obligations arises therefrom. The AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the selection process, number of short-listed applicants, the right to withdraw from the process, the right to change timetables at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this call for applications at any time, without prior notice and without incurring any liability to indemnify, compensate and/or reimburse any party whatsoever.
The Energy Challenge Transition Fund (ETCF) is an initial EUR €20 million Programme that seeks contribute to Nigeria’s Transition Plan which outlines pathways for transitioning the power, industry and residential sectors. It is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), via KfW German Development Bank (KfW) and implemented by the AECF, a development finance provider based in Nairobi, Kenya and operating across the continent including a programme office in Nigeria.
The ETCF seeks to empower SMEs to contribute to Nigeria's energy transition ambitions and boost the productivity and resilience of key sectors and value chains
Funding Highlights:
- Minimum funding is EUR € 100,000 while the maximum funding per grantee is EUR € 800,00
- Funding must be additional – it must be used for a specific project, e.g., introducing new services or products, scaling up an existing product or replication/expanding to a new market.
- Companies be legally registered and physically established in Nigeria as a for-profit company and must have operated for a period of no less than two (2) full accounting years at the time of application, with the ability to provide audited accounts.
Download the term sheet here to get the program details.
The Energy Challenge Transition Fund (ETCF) is an initial EUR €20 million Programme that seeks contribute to Nigeria’s Transition Plan which outlines pathways for transitioning the power, industry and residential sectors. It is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), via KfW German Development Bank (KfW) and implemented by the AECF, a development finance provider based in Nairobi, Kenya and operating across the continent including a programme office in Nigeria.
The ETCF seeks to empower SMEs to contribute to Nigeria's energy transition ambitions and boost the productivity and resilience of key sectors and value chains
Funding Highlights:
- Minimum funding is EUR € 100,000 while the maximum funding per grantee is EUR € 800,00
- Funding payments will be milestone based, where disbursements are based on mutually agreed milestones that must be achieved/delivered. The first disbursement will not exceed 30% of the total amount awarded.
- Funding must be additional – it must be used for a specific project, e.g., introducing new services or products, scaling up an existing product or replication/expanding to a new market.
- Companies be legally registered and physically established in Nigeria as a for-profit company and must have operated for a period of no less than two (2) full accounting years at the time of application, with the ability to provide audited accounts.
Download Detailed Program Term Sheet
For any questions kindly contact the program team using the details provided on the term-sheet