African Development Bank Opens Green Hydrogen Funding Call, Offers Up To $20 Million For Private Sector Projects Across Africa

The African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has opened a new Call for Proposals under its Green Hydrogen Programme. This call is aimed at private sector companies across Africa that are developing projects related to green hydrogen or its derivatives. The goal is to support early-stage projects that can help expand Africa’s clean energy landscape.

The Green Hydrogen Programme was approved at the end of 2025 and received its initial funding from the German government. Under this programme, SEFA plans to offer up to 20 million dollars in pre-investment financing. From all the proposals received, three to five of the highest-ranked projects will be selected, provided they pass SEFA’s due-diligence process.

The financial support will mainly be provided as reimbursable grants. These grants are intended to help project developers carry out essential preparatory work required before seeking full investment. This can include feasibility studies, engineering and design work for procurement and construction, as well as expert advisory services needed to reach the Final Investment Decision or financial close. By funding these steps, SEFA aims to reduce early-stage risks and help promising projects become bankable.

Dr Daniel Schroth, Director of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department at the African Development Bank, explained that green hydrogen presents a significant opportunity for the continent. It can support the decarbonisation of industries that are difficult to electrify, while also helping create new economic value chains. According to him, the Green Hydrogen Programme is structured to help shift projects from the development phase to a stage where they can secure commercial financing, which is crucial for such an emerging sector.

The application period opens on 10 April 2026 at 09:30 GMT. All proposals must be submitted through the official SEFA website, sefaafrica.org, by 11 May 2026 at 17:00 Abidjan time. Applicants can find full details, eligibility conditions, and the required questionnaire on the same site. SEFA is a multi-donor special fund created to unlock private investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency across Africa.

It provides technical assistance and concessional financing to help remove market barriers, strengthen the project pipeline, and improve the financial attractiveness of clean energy investments. Ultimately, the fund aims to support universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy across the continent, contributing to Africa’s broader development goals under Mission 300.