The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) provides grants and interest free loans to businesses who wish to implement innovative, commercially viable, high impact projects in Africa in the areas of agriculture, financial services, renewable energy, and technologies for adapting to climate change.
The AECF has launched the second round of Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies (REACT Round 2), to catalyze private sector investment and innovation in low cost, clean energy and climate change technologies. The recently concluded first round saw 21 companies awarded US$15.2 million for projects in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
REACT Round 2 seeks proposals for business ideas that will transform the way in which clean energy is provided to rural businesses and households, provide solutions that will help small farmers adapt and reduce their vulnerability to climate change, and increase financial services in support of clean energy and climate change solutions. Proposals should combine commercial viability with development impact.
African and international for-profit companies are eligible to apply. (There is no restriction on where the applicant company is from.) Funding is provided as grants and interest free repayable grants. Supported projects must take place in one or more of the following countries in East Africa: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The application deadline is December 15th, 2011. Visit the AECF website www.aecfafrica.org for more information and to download the application form and guidance notes
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