Funding Database
The Innovation Fund
Current as of: 2026-06-09
Description
The Innovation Fund is a component of the AECF’s Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies Sub-Saharan Africa Programme (REACT SSA). The fund targets clean cooking and productive use of energy technologies and services in West- and Southern Africa. The objective of the fund is to commercialise products or business models that address the affordability and accessibility of clean cooking and productive use of energy technologies across SSA.
Instrument Type
Grant
Format of grants offered
Matching grants requiring grantee contribution
Ticket sizes per transaction (EUR)
100,000 - 500,000
Currencies used
US Dollars
Eligible market segments
Energy efficiency
Clean cooking
Energy for productive use
Clean cooking
Energy for productive use
Special requirements pertaining to gender, diversity and local content
AECF is a member of 2X Global. Applicants that meet or exceed the 2X criteria are especially encouraged to apply:
- 51% women ownership or the business is founded by a woman
- 30% of senior leadership are women or 30% of the board or investment committee are women
- 30-50% of the applicant's workforce are women (depending on sector), with quality employment conditions in place
- Applicant's product(s) or service(s) specifically or disproportionately benefit women
Eligible regions under GET.invest mandate
Central Africa
East Africa
Southern Africa
West Africa
East Africa
Southern Africa
West Africa
Eligible countries under GET.invest mandate
Burkina Faso
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mozambique
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mozambique
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Examples of past awardees
Instrument Capitalisers
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
Apply
Eligibility criteria
Details of eligibility are available hereApplication process
For more information on the application process, contact the fund manager at the details providedDeadline for submission (if applicable)
Rolling applicationsContact
Go to fund websiteHeadquarters
Nairobi, KenyaPhone
+254 111 035 000Other branches
Abidjan, Côte d’IvoireDar es Salaam, Tanzania
Middletown, USA
Juba, South Sudan
Kano, Nigeria
Fund manager
Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)
About
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a non-profit development organisation that supports enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Africa. AECF finances high risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies.