About

The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) is a clean energy financing facility hosted and managed by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) with funding from Austria, Finland and NDF. It is guided by a vision for a climate-resilient, zero-carbon future with the aim of contributing to the achievement of the Paris Agreement on climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). EEP Africa provides early-stage grant and catalytic financing to innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models in 15 countries across Southern and East Africa. Since 2010, EEP Africa has committed more than EUR 70 million to 250 pioneering projects.

Assistance Criteria

Projects are evaluated in terms of Concept Innovation, Development Impact, and Business Model & Financial Sustainability. Additional evaluation criteria are applied in themed calls. Eligible entities are Companies (including start-ups), Non-profit Organisations, Social Enterprises.

Projects must be locally driven, actively under development, and technologically relevant, spanning areas like residential energy access, mini-grids, clean cooking, mobility, energy efficiency, and others within the renewable energy spectrum. Critically, projects must demonstrate clear additionality—how EEP Africa’s funding will make a tangible difference—and a sustainable path to profitability, with reasonable expectation of follow-on investment.

Countries

Support

EEP Africa offers early-stage grant and catalytic financing, including both grants and repayable grants, typically ranging between EUR 200,000 and EUR 1 million. A minimum co-financing of 30–50% is required, depending on factors like project phase and applicant maturity. Notably, projects exceeding EUR 500,000—or feasibility studies—are automatically repayable, and the Investment Committee may determine additional repayability conditions. Beyond financing, EEP Africa strengthens investment readiness via tailored business development support, investment facilitation, and visibility through Investor Forums to connect developers with financiers. Additionally, they promote knowledge sharing, offering learning through forums, case studies, and networking opportunities to scale the clean energy ecosystem across Southern and Eastern Africa

Application Process

Applications are selected during annual themed or open call for proposals. Applications are submitted as concept notes through an online portal. https://eepafrica.org/financing/call-for-proposals/

EEP Africa runs competitive, two-stage Calls for Proposals, typically opening annually. Interested applicants initially submit an Expression of Interest (EoI). Longlisted candidates are then invited to participate in pitching sessions, and subsequently the most promising ones advance to submit a comprehensive Full Proposal