The Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) supports low-carbon entrepreneurs to get their businesses and projects ready for investment. It then connects them with the investors who can help them grow. 

Funded by the UK Government, the CFA provides hands-on technical support and creates structured opportunities for entrepreneurs, developers, financiers, and public partners to work together to unlock climate finance where it is most needed.  

South Africa is deeply committed to sustainable development and aims to transition to a low carbon economy. South Africa faces a range of environmental challenges driven by climate change that are intensifying water scarcity and food insecurity as well as socio-economic challenges related to poverty, unemployment, and inequality. This context presents the opportunity to deliver real impact through the CFA, particularly across energy, transport, water, waste management and sustainable agriculture – sectors which also demonstrate positive investor appetite.

The CFA in South Africa has successfully concluded three cycles, supporting the development of a robust pipeline of climate-aligned investments. During this period, we have worked with 43 businesses/projects, helping to mobilise over USD100m in investment across energy, transport, water, waste management, and sustainable agriculture. Our engagement has strengthened local capacity and investor readiness, contributing to delivering on the global ambition to limit warming to 1.5°C. We also support South Africa’s just transition through inclusive approaches to sustainable development, improved gender equality and social inclusion, and building resilience to climate impacts.

CFA South Africa is now accepting applications for the 2026 cohort. Applicants interested in applying should be revenue-generating (for businesses) or at least at the post-feasibility stage (for projects), seeking a minimum of US$3 million in funding, with core technologies proven at a minimum of Technology Readiness Level 7*, ensuring readiness for investment and scalability. We particularly welcome applications which demonstrate an impact in the energy, transport, waste management, water, or sustainable agriculture sectors.

*Technology Readiness Level 7 = System commissioning where full-scale Pilot/Product/Service is demonstrating performance for the operational environment.

How CFA South Africa Can Support You

The CFA is a practical, deal-oriented programme designed to support businesses and project proponents working on climate mitigation solutions to strengthen their investment cases, sharpen their capital-raising strategies, and engage lenders and investors with greater confidence and credibility. The programme prioritises opportunities with a total financing requirement of at least USD3 million. The CFA offers a range of capacity-building support, practical tools and materials, and curated connections across the finance ecosystem. The CFA does not act as a transaction adviser or broker, nor does it raise capital on behalf of participants. Instead, by engaging with the CFA, businesses and project developers can align with investor requirements, prepare more compelling investment documentation, navigate policy and regulatory considerations, and build relationships that support outreach to potential financiers. The result is improved investor readiness, a clearer path to profitability and impact visibility, and a stronger foundation for meaningful investor engagement. 

Key benefits include: 

Curated opportunities to network with investors: The CFA facilitates tailored opportunities for dialogue between selected businesses, project developers, and investors, informed by a clear understanding of investor mandates and risk appetite. Participants are able to connect with commercial and concessional financiers operating nationally, regionally, and internationally, and benefit from structured networking opportunities that enable interaction with relevant investor groups. 

Tailored investor-led coaching and best-practice insights: Selected businesses and projects participate in knowledge-sharing sessions and receive tailored support from experienced global and local practitioners on the areas that matter most to financiers: business model robustness, risk mitigation, clarity on the funding ask, and a coherent capital-raising strategy. The CFA supports companies and projects in preparing investment-grade materials, including pitch decks and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Plans, and in strengthening their storytelling and investor-facing communications. 

Networking across the climate finance ecosystem: Participants gain opportunities to build relationships not only with investors, but also with other key stakeholders across the market. These include public and institutional partners at national and local levels, corporates, cross-country peers, and other actors within and beyond their domestic markets. These networks help create long-term opportunities that extend beyond the CFA programme itself, and often result in mutually beneficial commercial partnerships. 

Increased visibility and credibility: Participation in CFA events can elevate businesses’ and projects’ profiles among a wide range of stakeholders, improving their positioning within the climate-finance ecosystem and strengthening their credibility with potential investors. After completing their acceleration cycle, businesses and projects also benefit from additional exposure through features on the CFA website and highlights across CFA social-media channels. 

Stronger ESG and climate-impact narrative: The CFA supports businesses and projects to understand, enhance, and communicate their environmental and social impacts, factors increasingly important to investors alongside commercial returns. Drawing on climate, environmental, and social impact specialists, the CFA helps projects align with national climate ambitions and highlight co-benefits such as poverty reduction; improved gender equality, disability and social inclusion; and the protection of nature and biodiversity, while strengthening awareness of ESG safeguards and risk-management expectations. 

Eligibility 

The CFA works with businesses and projects that are actively seeking finance and can meet the following criteria: 

• Measurable climate impact: Designed to achieve measurable climate outcomes in terms of direct or facilitated greenhouse gas emission reductions. 
• Minimum ticket size:Have a minimum total financing need of at least USD3 million (over 3 years), with flexibility where sector dynamics, growth stage, or capital-structure needs justify a smaller raise.
• Stage of development: Project finance deals must have completed a full feasibility study (a technical and financial assessment confirming engineering design, costs, risks, and viability).
• Commercial model: Have a business model capable of generating attractive, risk-adjusted returns over time, although some element of blended or concessional capital may be required in early stages.
• Sectoral focus: Provide a solution within priority sectors energy, transport, waste management, water, or sustainable agriculture.
• Responsible business conduct: Propositions should either demonstrate positive environmental and social impacts or show a genuine commitment to meaningfully integrating gender equality, disability, and broader social inclusion, recognising that some applicants may still be developing these elements.
• Positive environmental and social outcomes: Propositions should either demonstrate positive environmental and social impacts or show a genuine commitment to meaningfully integrating gender equality, disability, and broader social inclusion, recognising that some applicants may still be developing these elements. 

How to apply 

CFA South Africa is open for applications from climate businesses and projects seeking support in accessing finance until 06 February 2026 .

The application and submission requirements can be accessed by clicking ‘Apply to Join CFA’ at the top of this page. Please note that the application process is not designed to select the most developed or complete projects, but rather those aligned with the CFA’s objective of supporting climate projects that advance South Africa's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Projects that meet the criteria above are strongly encouraged to apply. 

When submitting your proposal, we will require some personal details, such as name, email address, and phone number for the main contact(s). These details will be used solely for communication regarding the proposal. We expect to respond to applications within four weeks of the call for proposals deadline and may request additional information during this period. Your application will be treated as confidential. It will not be reproduced in any form or by any means, disclosed to others or used for any purpose other than for consideration under the CFA. 

To find out more about how your organisation can benefit from engaging with the CFA programme, please email: cfasouthafricanbi@green-cape.co.za.

Instructions and consent

This form is intended to gather relevant preliminary information about your business or project, which may include personal data. Please provide information that is currently available and accurately reflects the characteristics of your business or project. If you do not have any information for any section, please enter N/A.