Applications are open to organizations based in Sub-Saharan Africa, including private companies, public institutions, non-profit organizations, universities, joint ventures, and consortia. The lead applicant must be legally established in any country in Sub-Saharan Africa and meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Framework Document.

Yes. Organizations outside Sub-Saharan Africa may participate as consortium members or partners. However, the lead applicant must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Yes. Applications may be submitted by a consortium, joint venture, or association. One organization must be designated as the lead applicant, who will be responsible for communication and grant contracting.

The Call supports clean captive renewable energy projects serving commercial and industrial (C&I) energy users. Projects should demonstrate innovative, scalable, and replicable business models that address market barriers to clean captive energy deployment in Sub Saharan Africa.

No. The Call is technology agnostic. While the technical tools presented during the webinar focus on solar PV, proposals using other renewable energy technologies (such as biogas or hybrid renewable systems) are eligible, provided they meet the objectives of the Call.

No. The grant does not finance the purchase or installation of renewable energy equipment (CapEx). Instead, it supports pre-development activities that help projects become investment-ready, including technical, financial, legal, and commercial preparation.

No. An organization may submit only one application under the Call. Different organizations within separate consortia may submit different applications, provided they constitute distinct project partnerships and meet the eligibility criteria.

There is no minimum project capacity requirement.

Projects should demonstrate:

1. a clear need for grant support (additionality),
2. strong investment readiness potential, and
3. the ability to be implemented within the 18-month implementation period.

Applicants must provide at least 25% of eligible project costs as their own contribution. Own contributions may include cash and eligible in-kind contributions, provided these can be clearly justified and verified during project implementation.

Yes. Type 1 grants may support the development of financing vehicles or financing instruments dedicated to clean captive renewable energy projects.

Yes, where they form part of a single programme, portfolio, financing vehicle, or financing instrument with a coherent concept. However, unrelated projects with different concepts should be submitted as separate applications (subject to the one-application-per-applicant rule).

Applications will be assessed based on criteria including:

1. 1. Innovation
   2. Replicability
   3. Scalability
   4. Financial, technical, and commercial viability
   5. Additionality of grant support
   6. Expected impact
   7. Environmental and social sustainability

Applicants should consult the Framework Document for the full assessment criteria.

Yes, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Lead applicants must demonstrate an appropriate operational track record, including the required financial information. Startups that do not meet these requirements may participate as consortium members.

Yes. Unlike Phase I, which focused on four pilot countries, the Phase II Open Call is open to eligible applicants across all Sub-Saharan African countries.

Projects should be planned for implementation within 18 months.

Yes. The webinar recording, presentation slides, Framework Document, application forms, and supporting technical tools are available through this website and Knowledge Hub.

Applicants may submit questions by email to contact@captiverenewables-africa.org, with cicsa@un.org copied, throughout the application period. To ensure sufficient time for a response, questions should be submitted no later than the deadline specified in the Framework Document.

Yes. The CICSA Phase II Call is specifically designed to support projects during the pre-development stage. Projects at an early stage of development may apply, provided they have a credible project concept and the proposed activities are intended to advance the project towards financial close. Applicants should also demonstrate a realistic implementation plan, as projects supported under the Call are expected to be implemented within the programme’s 18-month implementation period.

Yes. A Type 1 application may include multiple eligible activities, provided they all contribute to the development of the same project or financing vehicle/instrument. For example, a proposal may combine activities such as feasibility studies, technical design, financial modelling, etc. Applicants are encouraged to propose the package of activities required to advance their project towards investment readiness. Please refer to the Framework Document for the full list of eligible Type 1 activities.

Not necessarily. The contractual arrangements depend on the selected business model. For an ownership model, where the commercial or industrial energy user owns and consumes the electricity generated by the installation, a separate third-party PPA is generally not required. Where projects use third-party ownership or financing models, a PPA or other contractual agreement may be appropriate.

Applicants should demonstrate that the project developer (or the consortium members responsible for project development) has the technical, financial, and implementation experience necessary to deliver the proposed activities. The commercial or industrial off-taker is not required to have prior experience developing clean captive installations.