AfDB Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA)

Enriched UN / Multilateral · Found: 2026-03-11 11:10

SEFA is a multi-donor trust fund managed by the AfDB supporting small and medium-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Africa, including financing energy-from-waste projects that promote a circular economy approach to waste management.

Source: https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/sectors/energy/sustainable-energy-fund-africa-sefa

Funding Details

Funder

African Development Bank (AfDB)

Funding Goal

To provide catalytic finance that unlocks private sector investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean energy access across Africa, aligned with SDG 7 and the New Deal on Energy for Africa.

Funding Amount

In 2023, nine approved projects received a combined USD 72 million in funding (averaging ~USD 8 million per project). Individual grant and investment sizes are not publicly specified.

How to Apply

SEFA operates on a rolling basis but is currently at full capacity and not accepting new project applications. When open, applicants can submit proposals for either technical assistance grants or concessional investment instruments. Technical assistance grants are available to both public and private entities for activities that directly unlock investments. Concessional investments include results-based financing, loans, and equity, often blended with AfDB resources. Prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor the SEFA website for future reopening.

Target Region

Africa

Contact

SEFA operates within the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department (PERN) under the Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth (PEVP) complex at the African Development Bank. General inquiries can be directed through the AfDB website contact pages. Green Mini Grids Help Desk: greenminigrid.afdb.org

Official Page

https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/sustainable-energy-fund-for-africa

Last Checked

2026-03-12 03:35

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must be located in an African country eligible for AfDB operations
• Applicant can be a public or private entity (for technical assistance grants)

Project Scope

• Project must fall within one of three focus areas: Green Baseload, Green Mini-Grids, or Energy Efficiency
• Technical assistance applications must demonstrate activities that directly unlock investments
• Concessional investment proposals should be suitable for blending with AfDB resources
• Projects should contribute to renewable energy capacity, energy access, or emissions reduction targets

Constraints

• SEFA is currently at full capacity and not accepting new applications — monitor website for future reopening

Summary

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) is a multi-donor trust fund established in 2011 and managed by the African Development Bank. It provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency across the African continent. The fund aims to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, consistent with Sustainable Development Goal 7. SEFA focuses on three strategic priority areas: Green Baseload (increasing renewable energy penetration in power systems), Green Mini-Grids (expanding electricity access to underserved populations through clean energy), and Energy Efficiency (enhancing service delivery efficiency including clean cooking and pico-solar). The fund offers two primary instruments: technical assistance grants for activities that directly unlock investments (available to public and private entities), and concessional investment tools including results-based financing, loans, and equity instruments frequently blended with AfDB resources. The fund is supported by multiple donors including Denmark, the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Germany, the Nordic Development Fund, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. In 2023, nine approved projects received a combined USD 72 million in funding. Notable achievements include pioneering green mini-grid engagement, facilitating the Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF), and establishing the Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI). SEFA is currently at full capacity and unable to accept new project applications, though prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor the website for future openings.

Historical Context

SEFA was established in 2011 with Denmark as its founding partner. The fund has evolved through two phases: SEFA 1.0 (legacy portfolio, closed in 2023) and SEFA 2.0 (launched around 2020, in its fourth operational year by 2023). Notable milestones include pioneering the AfDB's green mini-grid engagement through the Market Development Program, facilitating the Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF) as one of the first pan-African equity funds, and establishing the Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI) for small-scale renewables financing. Annual reports are published regularly (2021-2024 available).

Why it was added

World Bank/dev bank waste management program

Sources

• https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/sectors/energy/sustainable-energy-fund-africa-sefa
• https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/sustainable-energy-fund-for-africa
• https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/sustainable-energy-fund-africa-sefa-operational-procedures
• https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/sustainable-energy-fund-africa-sefa-annual-report-2023

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