Applications are open for the 2026 ClimaFii Alliance Cohort, inviting early-stage climate enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa to join a growing initiative dedicated to transforming microenterprise productivity through clean energy and electric mobility.

Backed by the Shell Foundation in collaboration with Accion, BFA Global, and Upaya Social Ventures, ClimaFii works directly with startups that are designing practical, market-ready climate solutions for micro and small enterprises—particularly those facing financial, energy, and mobility barriers.

What the Alliance Focuses On

For the upcoming cohort, ClimaFii is especially interested in companies working on:

• Expanding access to affordable, productive-use clean energy

• Strengthening microenterprise resilience to climate impacts

• Developing pathways that connect innovators with financial partners

• Supporting solutions built and led within African contexts

Twenty companies have already been part of the programme, and this new intake will bring additional innovators into the ecosystem.

About the ClimaFii Alliance

ClimaFii is a five-year initiative working to close the financing and affordability gap for microenterprises (MEs). The Alliance supports startups delivering:

• Clean energy solutions

• Electric mobility technologies

• Climate-smart tools that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen incomes

The initiative specifically targets the underserved “missing middle”—the microentrepreneurs who keep local economies moving yet often lack access to climate finance or tailored technology.

Support Offered to Startups

ClimaFii provides a comprehensive package designed to help ventures refine their model, reach microenterprise customers, and prepare for long-term growth. Selected companies receive support under four major pillars:

1. Catalytic Capital

Each startup will receive USD 45,000–70,000 to test models, deploy products, run go-to-market experiments, strengthen operations, and demonstrate traction.
Additional flexibility may be available for companies serving women-led microenterprises.

2. Tailored Venture Support

Startups gain hands-on guidance to sharpen:

• Product and service design

• Pricing and unit economics

• Distribution and operational systems

• Go-to-market strategy

• Investment readiness

Specialists in clean energy, mobility, IoT, UX, data, and gender provide targeted advisory throughout the programme.

3. End-User Finance Support & Pilot Partnerships

Through Accion, companies receive technical assistance to co-design financing mechanisms with MFIs, SACCOs, cooperatives, and fintechs—enabling microentrepreneurs to afford climate-aligned tools through asset financing, embedded finance, or working-capital products.

Eligible startups may pilot these solutions with real customers.

4. Gender-Inclusive Market Expansion

Startups benefit from gender diagnostics, customer insights on women microentrepreneurs, and practical design support to unlock this fast-growing market segment. Strong gender outcomes may lead to additional support.

Sectors & Types of Solutions Supported

ClimaFii will consider companies working in one or more of the following areas:

1. Clean Energy & Storage

Solar energy-as-a-service, battery leasing, shared hubs, biofuel systems, hybrid mini-energy solutions.

2. Productive-Use & Post-Harvest Tools

Energy-powered mills, dryers, cold chain systems, agri-processing tools, community kitchens, clean cooking for vendors.

3. Electric Mobility

EV 2–3 wheelers, battery swapping, charging hubs, EV retrofits, PAYGo mobility, logistics platforms linked to EV services.

4. Circular Economy & Waste-to-Energy

Micro-scale recycling hubs, waste valorization, briquette production, pyrolysis solutions, biofuels.

5. Fintech, Digital Platforms & Shared-Economy Tools

Embedded finance, leasing platforms, PAYGo tech, installer marketplaces, working-capital support systems.

6. Nature-Based Solutions (Tech-Enabled)

IoT-enabled livestock tools, smart beekeeping systems, aquaculture monitoring, precision tools for ME-level nature-positive livelihoods.

Note: Primary agriculture, household-focused solutions, large enterprise products, and utility-scale infrastructure are not eligible.

Application Timeline

• Applications Open: 10 December 2025

• Applications Close: 16 January 2026

If your startup matches these criteria, ClimaFii encourages you to apply.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity.