The UK-funded Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) South Africa has opened applications for its fourth cohort, inviting investment-ready low-carbon projects to compete for tailored support aimed at enhancing their appeal to financiers, officials announced this month.
The initiative, backed by the UK Government’s International Climate Finance programme and implemented locally by the National Business Initiative (NBI) and GreenCape, is designed to help climate-focused ventures strengthen their bankability and attract private capital.
Projects seeking support must be based in South Africa, have completed a full feasibility study, and require a minimum investment of USD 3 million. Eligible sectors include energy, transport, waste management, water and sustainable agriculture key areas aligned with the country’s just energy transition and climate goals.
Selected applicants will receive a combination of group workshops and one-to-one guidance from experts covering financial, technical and social inclusion issues, boosting their readiness for investor engagement.
“South Africa needs bold, investment-ready climate solutions,, and the CFA remains one of the most effective platforms for helping low-carbon businesses strengthen their bankability,” said Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative.
British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson described the programme as part of the broader UK-South Africa partnership on climate change, including the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). He noted that the accelerator has already supported innovative firms and facilitated more than USD 100 million in investment through prior cohorts.
The CFA operates in multiple countries and is part of efforts to mobilise public and private finance for climate action, drawing momentum from international commitments such as the G20 Leaders’ Declaration from the November 2025 Johannesburg Summit, which emphasised financing just energy transitions in developing economies.
Prospective applicants can access submission details and eligibility criteria through the programme’s online resources ahead of the February deadline.
Applications are open through 6 February 2026.
To apply or for more information, visit the website.
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