Application guide
SEFA Africa Green Hydrogen Programme (AGHP) — Call for Proposals 2026. Read this before completing the form.
Programme overview
The SEFA Africa Green Hydrogen Programme (AGHP), seeded with funding from the German government, aims to contribute to the development of Africa's emerging GH/derivatives sectors. The programme aims to provide funding for high-value, strategic project development activities, expected to facilitate new investments in solar PV and wind power generation, battery energy storage systems (BESS), desalination, electrolysis and the production of GH/derivatives. Where available and cost-effective, projects with access to surplus energy from existing hydropower and geothermal energy plants will also be considered.
Eligible activities encompass feasibility studies (excluding RE resource assessments); Front-End Engineering Design/Detailed Engineering Studies; offtake/supply agreement structuring; project structuring/transaction advisory. Up to US$20 million will be available across 3 to 5 top-ranked projects.
Consideration is restricted to projects in Africa, located in countries that have, as a minimum: proven renewable energy resources that can be harnessed to produce GH/derivatives while contributing to local socio-economic development; availability of land and water; as well as good prospects to access any combination of potential domestic and/or international off-taker markets or supply-chains for GH/derivatives.
Depending on positioning in the value-chain, a project can be considered as 'supply-side' (i.e. supply of GH/derivatives) or 'offtake side' (purchase of GH/derivatives for industrial production, agriculture and transportation).
Notable outcomes expected from the SEFA AGHP include: the decarbonisation of industries and power systems through the reduction and/or avoidance of GHG emissions resulting from the displacement of fossil fuels; contribution to skills and capacity development, employment for youth and women, and other critical socio-economic development initiatives. The integration of surplus renewable energy generation into local/regional grids is strongly encouraged; so is the augmentation of potable water supplies through desalination.
The programme is also expected to contribute towards foreign-direct investment (FDI), leveraging the expertise and financing resources available in AfDB Member and SEFA Donor Countries, encompassing project sponsors as well as service and technology providers.
The funding instrument available to successful projects will typically be a reimbursable grant (RG), with repayment expected to be triggered at Financial Close (FC).
Eligibility criteria
All seven criteria must be satisfied. Any single No disqualifies the application.
- Registered private sector entity in a GH value-chain activity
- Covers at least one eligible activity
- Pre-feasibility studies and site/land acquisition completed
- Government endorsement, RE assessments, E&S permitting, licensing, and commercial structuring completed or in progress
- Project in an AfDB Regional Member Country
- Proven RE resources supporting GH production
- Confirmed land/water access and identified offtake or supply-chain linkages
Section-by-section guidance
Section 01 — Applicant information
Details of the submitting organisation — not a parent or intermediary. Upload the official certificate of incorporation.
Section 02 — Project information
Project description (500 words max): Technology, development status, and why it is ready for SEFA support.
Project cost vs. development cost: Total cost to build and commission vs. pre-FID spend.
SEFA grant: State only what SEFA will fund. No per-project maximum — allocation is determined by ranking.
Activities to be funded: Enter each activity and amount in the table. Name specific studies or mandates. Generic descriptions score lower.
GHG figures: Reductions = displacing existing fossil fuel use. Avoided = preventing future use. Both in ktCO2eq/year.
Supporting document: Latest feasibility study or pre-FEED report. Mandatory.
Section 03 — Project evaluation metrics
Land/water/resources: Secured or formally identified only. Use verified RE assessment figures.
Jobs: Direct employment only. Youth/women percentages are projections.
Additionality: Why is SEFA funding specifically required? What cannot proceed without it?
Government endorsements: JDA, national strategy inclusion, or ministry letter. Upload the document.
Section 04 — Funding request
Rationale, capital-raising, risks: 500 words max each. Be specific — name lenders, amounts, risk mitigations.
AfDB officer: Name them if contacted. Does not affect eligibility.
Glossary
Evaluation criteria — 100 points total
Eligible proposals are ranked out of 100 points across the following criteria.
| Criteria | Key elements | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Profile of Sponsor(s) | Track-record and evidence of commitment of own resources in the proposed project. | 10 |
| Demonstration effects | Distinctive/unique features and prospects for scalability. | 5 |
| Viability of GH project development | National framework alignment; land access; viable RE resources and water; licensing status; market access; supporting infrastructure. | 20 |
| Power sector benefits | RE generation (MW) and electrolyser capacity (MW); surplus power to grids (MW and GWh/year); contribution to electricity access (households). | 10 |
| Local socio-economic outcomes | Value-chain development; jobs (construction and operations); youth and women employment; skills development; community co-benefits. | 10 |
| E&S sustainability | Technical design, operations and workplace safety standards; E&S compliance including AfDB Integrated Safeguards System; status of E&S certification/permitting. | 10 |
| Decarbonisation potential | Potential to reduce/avoid CO₂ from power generation; potential to reduce/avoid CO₂ from industrial processes or transportation. | 10 |
| Commercial viability | Supply-side: offtake arrangements. Offtake side: supply arrangements. Life-cycle cost: procurement ensuring quality and competitive costs. | 10 |
| Financial viability and investment prospects | Project costs; development funding committed; funding shortfall and additionality; path to FID and FC; potential to attract AfDB, DFI, and private sector financing. | 15 |
Submission
Deadline: 11 May 2026, 5pm Abidjan time. Late submissions will not be considered.
Applications are screened against eligibility criteria first. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly.