OPPORTUNITY: Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) SA 2026 launches call for proposals
The Climate Finance Accelerator helps make climate projects more bankable and attractive to investors by providing tailored support. Selected businesses will benefit from group workshops and one-to-one guidance from financial, technical, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion experts, increasing their chances of securing funding.
British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, said: “I am delighted that CFA South Africa is now open for applications. This hugely successful programme has already supported some of the country’s most innovative low-carbon businesses, with over $100 million invested in CFA alumni. As part of the UK–South Africa partnership on climate change, including through the Just Energy Transition Partnership, the latest phase of the CFA is another demonstrable example of the UK’s continued commitment to support a fair and inclusive shift to a sustainable, low-carbon future.”
Kailas Nair, Chief Growth Officer, Plentify (CFA SA 2023 cohort), said: “The CFA team helped us refine our capital-raising strategy and facilitated introductions to key investors and stakeholders in the energy sector. We found the programme invaluable and would recommend it to other startups in South Africa.”
Shameela Soobramoney, CEO, National Business Initiative (NBI) said: “South Africa needs bold, investment-ready climate solutions, and the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) remains one of the most effective platforms for helping low-carbon business strengthen their bankability. This new call for proposals is a chance to accelerate impact and secure the funding needed to scale. I encourage all eligible low-carbon project developers, especially those innovating in energy, water, transport, waste and sustainable agriculture, to apply. With the right support and investment, these projects can deliver real economic, social and climate gains for our country.”
Mike Mulcahy, CEO of GreenCape said: “GreenCape is excited to see which companies and solutions emerge from this fourth iteration of CFA SA. The programme is a practical way to channel more investment into green tech companies that create jobs and growth. As CFA expands globally, sharing lessons across countries will make it even more effective.”
Applicants to CFA South Africa 2026 should:
a) Require a minimum investment of USD $3 million and
b) Have completed a full feasibility study – which is a technical and financial assessment confirming engineering design, costs, risks, and viability preferably at Technology Readiness Level 7 (system commissioning where full-scale pilot/product/service is demonstrating performance for the operational environment) or above.
CFA is funded by the UK Government and implemented in South Africa by the National Business Initiative (NBI) and GreenCape.
To find out more – https://greencape.co.za/uk-government-boosts-climate-action-in-south-africa-with-new-climate-finance-accelerator-call-for-proposals/
