Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) UK Government Strengthens Climate Action in South Africa Through New Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Call The UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action and sustainable development in South Africa with the launch of the fourth call for proposals under the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) South Africa. Funded by the UK’s International Climate Finance, the programme continues to play a vital role in mobilising investment for low-carbon, climate-resilient projects across key sectors of the South African economy. Applications for the new CFA South Africa cohort will close on 6 February 2026, offering an important opportunity for investment-ready climate projects seeking to scale their impact. What the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Offers The Climate Finance Accelerator is designed to bridge the gap between innovative climate solutions and the investment needed to bring them to market. Rather than providing direct funding, the programme focuses on making projects more “bankable” and attractive to private and public investors. Selected participants receive tailored technical assistance, including: Group workshops covering investment readiness, financial structuring, and risk management One-to-one expert support from financial, technical, and sector specialists Guidance on gender equality, disability, and social inclusion, ensuring projects deliver inclusive outcomes Direct exposure to local and international investors, increasing the likelihood of securing capital This structured support significantly improves the ability of climate-focused businesses to raise the funding required for commercial deployment. Who Should Apply for the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA)? The fourth CFA South Africa call for proposals is open to low-carbon projects operating in the following sectors: Energy Transport Waste management Water Sustainable agriculture To be eligible, applicants must meet specific investment-readiness criteria, including: A minimum investment requirement of USD $3 million Completion of a full technical and financial feasibility study Projects preferably at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or above, where a full-scale pilot or system is already demonstrating performance in an operational environment These criteria ensure that the programme supports projects with a realistic pathway to investment and implementation. Supporting Global and Regional Climate Commitments The launch of the new CFA cohort closely aligns with international climate finance priorities. The G20 Leaders’ Declaration from the November 2025 Johannesburg Summit explicitly called for greater mobilisation of public and private finance to support just energy transitions in developing countries. Addressing investment gaps in sustainable infrastructure—particularly in Africa—was a core priority of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. CFA South Africa directly supports this agenda and contributes to the UK’s commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), reinforcing bilateral cooperation between the UK and South Africa on climate change. A Track Record of Impact Since its inception, CFA South Africa has demonstrated tangible results. Across its first three iterations: 43 climate projects have received in-depth capacity-building support Close to $100 million in climate finance has been facilitated Participants have benefited from direct engagement with both local and international investors This track record has positioned CFA South Africa as one of the country’s most effective platforms for accelerating investment-ready climate solutions. Voices From the CFA Community British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, highlighted the programme’s growing impact, noting that CFA South Africa has already supported some of the country’s most innovative low-carbon businesses and attracted significant investment into alumni companies. Past participants also attest to the programme’s value. Plentify, part of the 2023 CFA South Africa cohort, credits the programme with strengthening its capital-raising strategy and opening doors to key energy-sector investors. From an ecosystem perspective, partners such as the National Business Initiative (NBI) and GreenCape emphasise the CFA’s role in strengthening bankability, driving job creation, and accelerating green economic growth—while sharing lessons globally as the programme expands to other countries. A Call to Scale Climate Solutions With South Africa facing urgent climate, energy, and development challenges, investment-ready solutions are more critical than ever. The fourth call for proposals under the Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa represents a timely opportunity for low-carbon project developers to access world-class support, connect with investors, and scale solutions that deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits. Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply and become part of a growing pipeline of climate projects shaping a more sustainable future for South Africa. LEARN MORE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.