SEFA Green Hydrogen Programme — Call for Proposals
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Based on your responses, this application does not meet the SEFA Green Hydrogen Programme qualification criteria. Proposals that do not meet all qualification criteria will not be assessed further.
For queries: SEFA-GH.APPLICATION@afdb.org
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Deadline: 5 May 2026, 5pm Abidjan time  ·  SEFA-GH.APPLICATION@afdb.org

Call for Proposals

Green Hydrogen Programme

This form is for private sector entities seeking pre-investment financing support for green hydrogen and derivatives projects in AfDB Regional Member Countries. Read the full Call for Proposals document before completing this form.

Total funding
Up to US$20 million
Projects to fund
3 to 5 top-ranked
Max per project
US$15 million
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Prepare before you begin. This form cannot be saved mid-session. Draft all answers in a separate document first — use the Guide button on this page for field-by-field instructions. Fields marked * are mandatory. Information provided is subject to AfDB's confidentiality policy. Deadline: 5 May 2026, 5pm Abidjan time.
Section 00 Eligibility check
1
Eligibility
2
Applicant
3
Project
4
Evaluation
5
Funding
6
Submit
All seven questions must be answered Yes to proceed. A single No response will end the application.
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Section 01 Applicant information
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Eligibility
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Applicant
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Project
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Evaluation
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Funding
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Submit
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Section 02 Project information
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Eligibility
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Applicant
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Project
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Evaluation
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Funding
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Submit
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Please select a country.
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Please select a stage.
Please select at least one technology type.
Describe the project concept, technology, and development status. Maximum 500 words.
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Max US$15 million
Required (max US$15m).
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Maximum 200 words.
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PDF only, maximum 10MB
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Section 03 Project evaluation metrics
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Eligibility
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Applicant
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Project
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Evaluation
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Funding
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Submit
Land, water, and resources
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Please select at least one option.
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Local socio-economic impact
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Maximum 200 words.
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Commercial viability
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Maximum 200 words.
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Financial viability
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Government and financing partner support
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Section 04 Funding request — supplementary information
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Eligibility
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Applicant
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Project
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Evaluation
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Funding
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Submit
Maximum 300 words.
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Maximum 300 words.
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Maximum 200 words.
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Maximum 200 words.
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Maximum 200 words.
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Maximum 300 words.
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Please select an answer.
By submitting this form, you confirm that all information provided is accurate and complete, and that you have read and understood the SEFA Green Hydrogen Programme Call for Proposals. Information provided is subject to AfDB's confidentiality policy.
Please complete all required fields before submitting.
Guide & documentation
Read this guide before completing the form. The application cannot be saved mid-session — prepare all your answers in a separate document first.
Programme overview

The SEFA Green Hydrogen Programme provides pre-investment financing support to private sector entities developing green hydrogen and derivatives projects across AfDB Regional Member Countries. Initially capitalised through funding from the German government, approved Q4 2025.

Funding is a reimbursable grant, repayable at Financial Close. Up to US$20 million across 3 to 5 top-ranked projects. Maximum per project: US$15 million.

Eligible activities: feasibility studies, FEED, Detailed Engineering Studies, offtake/supply agreement structuring, transaction advisory. RE resource assessments alone are not eligible.

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 (studies, FEED, advisory).
  • SEFA grant: Max US$15m. State only what SEFA will fund.
  • Activities to be funded (200 words max): 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

Data used to rank projects. Vague answers reduce your score. Prepare specific figures in advance.

  • Land/water/resources: Secured or formally identified only. Use verified RE assessment figures.
  • Surplus power: MW capacity and MWh/year. Enter 0 if export-only, explain in description.
  • Jobs: Direct employment only. Youth/women percentages are projections.
  • Offtakers: Name organisations and MTPA volumes. LOIs strengthen but are not required.
  • 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 (300 words max): Why these activities, and what do they unlock?
  • Capital-raising (300 words max): Active lender/investor conversations with amounts and status.
  • Risks (300 words max): Technical, commercial, financial, political, environmental — each paired with a concrete mitigation.
  • AfDB officer: Name them if contacted. Does not affect eligibility.
Glossary
BESSBattery Energy Storage System
DRIDirect Reduced Iron — steelmaking using green hydrogen
E&SEnvironmental and Social standards and permitting
FEEDFront-End Engineering Design — pre-FID engineering work
FID / FCFinal Investment Decision / Financial Close
GH / GH2Green Hydrogen — electrolysis powered by renewable energy
IRRInternal Rate of Return
JDAJoint Development Agreement with host government
LCOHLevelised Cost of Hydrogen
LoI / MoULetter of Intent / Memorandum of Understanding
MTPAMillion Tonnes Per Annum
RMCAfDB Regional Member Country
SEFASustainable Energy Fund for Africa
TVETTechnical and Vocational Education and Training
VREVariable Renewable Energy (solar, wind)
Submission and process

Deadline: 5 May 2026, 5pm Abidjan time. Late submissions will not be considered.

Applications are screened against qualification criteria first. Those that do not pass will not be assessed further — no correspondence will be issued. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly.

For queries: SEFA-GH.APPLICATION@afdb.org