Issue 03 · April 2026 · The Drift
Decision-grade intelligence
Funding Tracker · Updated monthly

Grants and Funding

Live windows for climate, clean energy, and transition capital across Africa, Nigeria, and global emerging markets. Multilateral, bilateral, national, and private-sector instruments, screened for actual deployability.

Last updated: 23 April 2026 Next refresh: May 2026 with Issue 04 Active entries: 24
About this tracker

Live climate finance windows, screened for deployability

TCL Grants is a curated intelligence brief on capital windows relevant to climate, clean energy, and transition projects in Africa, Nigeria, and global emerging markets. It is not an application service. It is a reading list built monthly for practitioners who need to know which instruments are open, which are closing soon, and which are worth tracking for the next cycle.

Every entry is verified against the funder's own publications, typically official websites, board press releases, or procurement portals. Indicative windows, off-the-record signals, and informal pipeline intelligence are excluded. The page shows open and rolling windows by default; recently closed grants are kept in the archive and can be revealed using the Show closed grants toggle in the toolbar.

Category 01
Multilateral and DFI
World Bank, AfDB, EIB, GCF, IFC, and regional development banks.
Category 02
Bilateral and Multi-donor
National aid agencies and pooled trust funds: FCDO, USAID, KfW, AFD, SEforAll.
Category 03
National and Sovereign
Host-country programmes: REA Nigeria, ECN, NSIA, sovereign green bond facilities.
Category 04
Private Sector and VC
Catalytic funds, impact VCs, and private capital with concessional layers.
How to use this page. Filter by Open, Rolling, Africa, or Nigeria. Toggle Show closed grants if you want to review recently closed windows for the next funding cycle. Each card shows the window status, eligibility, typical ticket size, and direct link to the funder's official page. The tracker refreshes on the first Monday of each month to coincide with the TCL issue cycle.
Open for applications
Closing soon
Rolling or upcoming window
Recently closed (for reference)
No matchesTry a different search term or filter.

Multilateral and DFI

8 entries

Development finance institutions and multilateral climate funds. Typically larger ticket sizes, longer timelines, and more demanding due diligence, but catalytic for pipeline projects targeting final investment decision.

African Development Bank · SEFA
Open
Green Hydrogen Programme · Pre-Investment Facility
Amount
Up to $20M
Deadline
11 May 2026, 17:00 Abidjan
Geography
Pan-Africa
Instrument
Reimbursable grant

3 to 5 top-ranked green hydrogen and derivatives projects will receive reimbursable grants for feasibility studies, engineering design, and transaction advisory. Capitalised by the German government. Aim is to move projects toward FID or financial close.

Green Climate Fund · Readiness Programme
Rolling
Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme
Amount
Up to $1M per country/year
Deadline
Rolling
Geography
Developing countries
Instrument
Grant

Strengthens National Designated Authority (NDA) and accredited entity capacity to access GCF resources. Nigeria: DBN signed a readiness grant agreement on 27 February 2026; Nigeria validated its National No-Objection Procedure Manual in late 2025. NDAs channel the applications.

Green Climate Fund · PPF
Rolling
Project Preparation Facility
Amount
Up to $1.5M per application
Deadline
Rolling
Geography
Developing countries
Instrument
Grant / repayable / equity

Funds project preparation for accredited entities and Project Specific Assessment Approach applicants. Two modalities: PPF funding (direct financing) and PPF service (consultancy from a panel of 32 pre-qualified firms). Repayment triggered if the project reaches income-generating viability.

UN Global Marketplace
Open
Climate Innovation and Industrial Demonstration Projects
Amount
$1M to $20M
Deadline
18 June 2026
Geography
Global / regional windows
Instrument
Grant

Large-scale demonstration projects in critical minerals, clean hydrogen, smart energy, and industrial decarbonisation. Global Window, Geographic Window, LatAm Window, and Asia-Pacific Window offer $1M to $5M. Larger-Scale Demonstration Window offers $15M to $20M.

World Bank · DARES Programme
Ongoing
Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up
Amount
$750M facility
Deadline
Performance-based windows
Geography
Nigeria
Instrument
Performance-based grants

Credit facility approved December 2023. Targets 17.5 million Nigerians via mini-grids and solar home systems. Grants paid to developers after operational systems connect homes. Directly aligned with the NERC Mini-Grid Regulations 2026 registration-up-to-100kW framework. Managed by Rural Electrification Agency.

AfDB SEFA + Nordic Development Fund
Open
P-REC Aggregation Facility · Fragile States
Amount
$11.3M facility
Deadline
Rolling intake
Geography
Fragile states, Africa
Instrument
Reimbursable grant

Pioneering facility deploying Peace Renewable Energy Certificates as a direct funding instrument for mini-grid portfolios in conflict-affected regions. Co-financed by SEFA ($5.65M) and NDF ($5.65M). Managed by Camco Clean Energy and Energy Peace Partners. Corporates purchase certificates voluntarily.

AfDB SEFA · AMAP 2.0
Active
Africa Mini-Grid Market Acceleration Program 2.0
Amount
Technical assistance
Deadline
Ongoing
Geography
Sub-Saharan Africa
Instrument
TA + advisory

Technical assistance initiative funded by SEFA to catalyse private sector mini-grid investment. Provides regulatory support, project preparation, and market intelligence. Complements the Mission 300 continental compact endorsed by 48 African Heads of State.

EU-AU LEAP-SE Partnership
Annual call
Long-Term EU-Africa Partnership on Sustainable Energy
Amount
Varies by national agency
Deadline
Call 2026 active
Geography
EU + African eligible states
Instrument
Research grant

Supports joint research and innovation projects advancing sustainable energy access, energy transition, and climate-compatible development through EU-AU collaboration. Focus: renewable energy, efficiency, systems, and access. Requires consortium with partners from eligible European and African countries.

Bilateral and Multi-donor Facilities

7 entries

Sovereign-funded windows operated through dedicated programme managers. Typically faster cycles than multilateral channels, with clearer private-sector entry points.

AECF + SIDA · DIFEC 2026
Recently closed
Digital Innovation Fund for Energy and Climate
Amount
Up to $400,000
Deadline
16 April 2026 (passed)
Geography
Sub-Saharan Africa
Instrument
Milestone grant + TA

Supports MVP-stage and growth-stage businesses using technology for energy access and climate resilience. Eligible sectors: digital energy platforms, PAYG, climate data tools, e-mobility, clean cooking, climate-smart agriculture. Next window expected Q4 2026. Watch the AECF portal.

AECF + SIDA · REACT 2.0
Closed Jan 2026
Climate Resilient Energy and Agri-Finance · Ethiopia
Amount
Milestone-based
Deadline
12 January 2026 (passed)
Geography
Ethiopia
Instrument
Milestone grant

SIDA-funded AECF programme for Ethiopian private-sector renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture. Listed for reference. Next AECF REACT cycle typically announced early in the year on the AECF funding calendar.

Malawi Green Economy Transition Fund
Closed Jan 2026
GETF Matching Grants Window
Amount
$40K to $300K + $35K TA
Deadline
10 January 2026 (passed)
Geography
Malawi
Instrument
Matching grant + TA

Fosters private sector engagement in Malawi's green economy. Eligible sectors: sustainable energy, waste, soil conservation, biodiversity, green fintech, eco-tourism, e-mobility. Listed for reference and pipeline planning. Next window typically announced late 2026.

Africa Sustainable Futures Awards
Open
Africa Sustainable Futures Awards 2026
Amount
Recognition + pipeline access
Deadline
30 June 2026
Geography
Pan-Africa
Instrument
Awards + investor matching

Recognises private sector-led solutions advancing energy access, critical infrastructure, agribusiness, manufacturing, and innovation across Africa. Focus on job creation, risk mitigation, and scalable models. Value is in investor visibility rather than direct grant capital.

African Energy Futures Hub
2026 window
Energy Research Funding 2026
Amount
Up to $1M
Deadline
Rolling 2026
Geography
Africa
Instrument
Research grant

Research support for renewable energy, grid innovation, and energy access. Designed for research institutions, universities, and collaborative research networks. Projects targeting scalable policy-relevant outputs are prioritised.

SADC · Inclusive Green Economy Transitions
Window cycles
SADC Green Economy Facility
Amount
€300K to €950K
Deadline
Next call expected 2026
Geography
SADC Member States
Instrument
Grant (10% co-finance)

Supports initiatives promoting inclusive green economy transitions across Southern Africa. Minimum 10% co-financing required. Eligible themes include renewable energy deployment, green jobs, sustainable land use, and climate resilience. Monitor SADC Secretariat announcements.

Bank of Industry + AFD
Active
BOI-AFD Climate Finance Credit Facility
Amount
Credit + €2.5M TA grant
Deadline
Ongoing
Geography
Nigeria
Instrument
Green lending + TA

AFD-funded credit facility focused on climate mitigation and adaptation in Nigeria. Eligible sectors: renewable energy, low-carbon generation, climate-smart agriculture, clean urban transport. Includes a €2.5M grant dedicated to mainstreaming climate finance within BOI operations.

National and Sovereign Channels

4 entries

Domestic programmes and sovereign-backed instruments. Access is typically faster for national developers and MSMEs, but contingent on the programme being operationalised.

NCCC · National Climate Change Fund
Pre-operational
Nigeria National Climate Change Fund
Amount
TBC on launch
Deadline
Expected 2026 launch
Geography
Nigeria
Instrument
Mixed (grant + concessional)

Fund established under Section 15 of the Climate Change Act 2021, being operationalised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). NSIA, BOI, and DBN have expressed interest in fund management. Sources: budget appropriations, grants, NDC performance contributions, carbon tax revenue, and emissions trading.

NSIA + NCCC + GCF
Platform active
Nigerian Climate Investment Platform
Amount
Aggregation platform
Deadline
Rolling pipeline
Geography
Nigeria
Instrument
Project aggregation

Platform launched by the Federal Government in partnership with NSIA, NCCC, and the Green Climate Fund to mobilise climate finance for infrastructure and resilience projects. Designed to aggregate bankable project pipelines for international climate finance access.

Development Bank of Nigeria
Active
DBN Climate Programming · GCF Accreditation
Amount
$50M to $250M GCF access
Deadline
Rolling MSME lending
Geography
Nigeria
Instrument
Concessional lending

DBN is GCF-accredited to access $50M to $250M for climate projects and signed a GCF Readiness grant agreement on 27 February 2026. Channels concessional capital to MSMEs through Participating Financial Institutions. Sector eligibility is broadening as DBN scales its climate programming capacity.

Federal Government of Nigeria
Periodic issuance
Nigeria Sovereign Green Bond · Next Tranche
Amount
₦75.7B cumulative
Deadline
Investor purchase window
Geography
Nigeria
Instrument
Green bond

Sovereign programme with 95.44% utilisation across 40+ projects. 2025 issuance was 183% oversubscribed. Proceeds finance afforestation, renewable energy, clean transport, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Watch Debt Management Office announcements for next tranche. Covered in detail in the Issue 03 Special Report.

Private Sector, VC, and Awards

5 entries

Non-DFI capital channels. Faster decision cycles, commercial return expectations, but real ticket sizes for proven traction. Best combined with grant capital for blended structures.

RAISEAfrica
Open intake
RAISEAfrica 2026 · Clean Energy Investment
Amount
Investor matching
Deadline
Rolling 2026
Geography
Africa
Instrument
Investor access

Connects clean energy startups and SMEs with investors, strategic partners, and financing opportunities. Entry route to a curated investor network. Suited for businesses at post-MVP traction stage seeking first institutional round.

InfraCredit Nigeria
Ongoing
Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company
Amount
₦264B mobilised
Deadline
Deal-by-deal
Geography
Nigeria
Instrument
Credit guarantee

Provides guarantees that unlock local currency infrastructure debt with tenors up to 20 years. Enables pension fund participation in renewable energy and infrastructure project bonds. A core instrument in Nigeria's green bond ecosystem. Engage early with structured finance teams.

Katapult Climate Program
Cohort intake
Katapult Climate Accelerator
Amount
Investment + mentorship
Deadline
Cohort cycles
Geography
Global with Africa focus
Instrument
Equity + accelerator

Global mentors, investor networks, impact measurement tools, and scaling support for climate startups. Focus: food security, environmental resilience, and climate adaptation. Rigorous selection standards; suited to startups with validated products, early traction, and measurable impact.

Qualcomm · Make in Africa
Programme active
Make in Africa Startup Mentorship 2026
Amount
Equity-free mentorship
Deadline
Rolling cohort
Geography
Africa
Instrument
Non-dilutive support

Equity-free mentorship and incubation for early-stage African startups building technology-driven solutions. Suits ventures developing hardware, IoT, or telecoms solutions with energy transition applications. Good complement for cleantech hardware startups needing engineering support.

Ukusimama Foundation
Intake open
Women in Energy and Sustainability Mentorship
Amount
Mentorship + network
Deadline
Rolling
Geography
Africa
Instrument
Mentorship programme

Professional mentorship, career growth, and clean energy leadership for African women in energy, climate, water, and sustainability. Structured mentorship tied to career and venture development pathways. Directly addresses the inclusion lever highlighted in the Special Report's Part 8.

Editorial note

This page is curated editorial intelligence, not an application service. The Climate Ledger does not process applications, disburse capital, or endorse specific grantors. All deadlines and amounts are drawn from primary and secondary sources current as of 23 April 2026. Grant programmes change frequently. Applicants must verify terms, eligibility, and deadlines directly with each funder before submitting. Entries marked closed or reference are retained for pipeline planning in future windows. Report errors or submit opportunities to blogpost@theclimateledger.org.