Deadline: 12 October 2018

AECF REACT Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is currently inviting applicants to submit Concept Notes for its Zimbabwe Programme.

REACT Sub-Saharan Africa (REACT SSA) is a US$61million project funded by the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) to support renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a dedicated fundingof US$ 6.5 million for Zimbabwe. The programme seeks to reduce povertythrough a transformational increase in the use of renewable energy by off-grid households in the target countries. Its outcome will be private sector investment and innovation in low cost clean energy and climate changecatalysed at scale.

Focus Areas

Applicants must deliver low cost, affordable, quality clean energy products and services that benefit the rural andperi urban poor.

This should align with one or more of the following focus areasto be eligible for funding:

• Small entry level and basic capacity (below 50Wp) solar home systems, comprising basic lighting, phone charging systems and radios, made available to large numbers of households through (but not limited to) pay-as-you-go systems or Micro Finance Institutions (MFI’s).
• Medium capacity (50-100Wp) stand-alone solar home systems for productive use, comprising phone charging systems, radio, appliances etc. and that can be used at small scale rural and peri-urban based business or household premises.
• Larger (100+ Wp) solar power stand-alone systems that meet the full range of household/ business energy needs that yet remain affordable for low income individuals.
• Mini and micro grids from hydropower and solar energy, with distribution networks that meet the full range of household/ business needs that yet remain affordable for low income individuals.
• Production and/or distribution of energy efficient cooking solutions and cleaner fuels (e.g. ethanol and biogas) for rural and peri urban low income individuals.
• Production/ manufacturing and/ or distribution models that support local entrepreneurship and growth of SMEs, MFIs/local banks and womengroups within a renewable energy product demand and supply chain.
• Standalone equipment solutions with high potential for off-grid productive uses (e.g. Solar pumping, Cooling solutions for Agriculture).
• Large off-grid energy solutions for public and private institutions such as schools and clinics in peri-urban and rural areas.
• Telco based products/ applications that support renewable energy product and/or service demand and supply chains.
• Business models which address sustainable e- waste management in the industry.

Funding Information

Total grant funds requested from AECF must be between US$250,000 and US$1,500,000.

Duration

5 years (year 1 for inception + competition phase; years 2 – 5 for implementation phase). The REACT SSA is funded by Sida.

Eligibility Criteria

• Company is a private sector for-profit enterprise aligned with the funding focus areas and target technologies.
• Company must be legally registered and physically established in Zimbabwe by the time of contracting.
• Project idea will be implemented in Zimbabwe.
• Company (including 3rd parties such as co-investors or banks and other lenders) is providing at least 50% of the requested funds from AECF. Up to 25% of the matching funds may be in kind. Examples of acceptable in-kind contributions can include sweat equity; allocations of stock; or existing machinery and equipment allocated for use in the proposed project.
• The project must deliver low cost, affordable, quality clean energy products and services that benefit the rural, peri urban poor (especially women).
• Applicants must demonstrate that the project will contribute to environmental sustainability, including environmental and climate change aspects.
• Company must be compliant with fundamental in country and international human rights, labour standards, environmental management laws.
• Company must NOT be involved in any act of terrorism or support terrorists’ activities.
• Company must allow regular due diligence by AECF.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit AECF.