The UK Government Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) South Africa has officially launched its fourth call for proposals, inviting low-carbon businesses seeking investment to apply. This initiative is a key component of the UK’s International Climate Finance programme and demonstrates the country’s commitment to supporting bankable, sustainable, and investment-ready climate solutions in South Africa.
This Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa opportunity is designed to help innovative low-carbon businessesscale their operations, improve access to finance, and accelerate the country’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Background and Overview of the Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa
The Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) South Africa is a UK-funded programme that provides technical assistance and capacity-building to climate-focused projects requiring significant investment. The programme is implemented locally by the National Business Initiative (NBI) and GreenCape, with support from PwC UK, and aligns with the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between the UK and South Africa.
Since its inception, CFA South Africa has facilitated over $100 million in climate finance, supporting 43 low-carbon projects across sectors such as energy, transport, waste management, water, and sustainable agriculture. The programme helps make climate projects more bankable and attractive to investors through:
- Group workshops
- One-on-one guidance from financial, technical, gender equality, disability, and social inclusion experts
- Networking with local and international investors
The UK Government’s CFA initiative complements the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, emphasizing the mobilisation of public and private finance for just energy transitions in developing countries, with South Africa serving as a key focus.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply
The Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa is open to projects that meet the following requirements:
Project Requirements
- Must be a low-carbon business or project operating in South Africa.
- Require a minimum investment of USD $3 million.
- Have completed a full feasibility study, including a technical and financial assessment confirming engineering design, costs, risks, and viability.
- Preferably at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or above, meaning the project has a full-scale pilot/product/service demonstrating operational performance.
Sector Focus
Eligible projects must operate in one of the following sectors:
- Energy (renewables, energy efficiency)
- Transport (low-carbon mobility solutions)
- Waste management
- Water (sustainable management or treatment solutions)
- Sustainable agriculture (climate-smart and low-carbon farming solutions)
There are no nationality restrictions for applicants, but the projects must be based in South Africa and ready to receive investment.
Program Details: Structure, Support, and Benefits
The Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa offers tailored support to improve the bankability and investment readiness of selected projects:
- Technical and Financial Guidance: Projects receive coaching on capital-raising strategies, investor pitches, and financial structuring.
- Workshops and Networking: Participants join group workshops and one-on-one sessions with experts and investors.
- Sector-Specific Advice: Support includes guidance from experts in finance, technical engineering, gender equality, disability inclusion, and social impact.
- Increased Investment Opportunities: Participation enhances visibility and credibility, increasing the likelihood of securing investor funding.
Selected projects benefit from a structured support programme that accelerates project impact, scalability, and economic contribution.
How to Apply: Application Process
Applicants must submit proposals through the official CFA South Africa application portal. To be considered, projects must demonstrate:
- Investment readiness with a full feasibility study
- Minimum investment requirements of USD $3 million
- Clear alignment with low-carbon solutions and sustainable development goals
Interested businesses can access application guidance and submit their proposals via the following link.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: 10 December 2025
- Application Deadline: 6 February 2026
Early application is strongly recommended to ensure participation in the full CFA support programme.
Success Stories
The CFA programme has successfully supported low-carbon projects across South Africa, including:
- Plentify (CFA SA 2023 cohort): Benefited from strategic capital-raising guidance and introductions to key investors in the energy sector.
- NBI-supported projects: Secured over $100 million in investments across previous CFA iterations.
The programme continues to serve as a leading platform for climate innovation and investment readiness in South Africa.
The Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa is a UK Government-funded opportunity for low-carbon businesses seeking investment and technical support. By participating, businesses gain access to expert guidance, investor networks, and resources that enhance the bankability of their climate projects. This initiative is a critical step in advancing sustainable, low-carbon development in South Africa, supporting both economic growth and environmental resilience.