New UK Climate Finance Accelerator Boosts South Africa's Green Transition

The United Kingdom has opened a new round of support for South Africa’s low-carbon transition, launching the fourth call for proposals under the Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa, a UK-funded programme designed to help climate projects secure investment.

Applications opened on 10 December and will close on 6 February 2026, according to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the British High Commission in Pretoria. The programme targets businesses and project developers working in energy, transport, waste management, water and sustainable agriculture.

To qualify, projects must have completed a full feasibility study and require a minimum investment of $3 million.

The Climate Finance Accelerator, known as the CFA, focuses on making climate projects more attractive to investors by strengthening their commercial and financial readiness. Selected participants receive group-based training and one-on-one support from financial, technical and social inclusion specialists, including experts in gender equality, disability and broader inclusion.

UK officials said the programme aligns with international commitments made at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, where leaders endorsed efforts to mobilise public and private finance for just energy transitions in developing countries. Supporting sustainable energy investment in Africa was a central priority of South Africa’s G20 presidency, amid widening financing gaps for climate and energy infrastructure.

The CFA is also positioned as a practical contribution to the United Kingdom’s pledge under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which aims to support a fair and inclusive shift away from carbon-intensive energy systems.

Since its launch, the South Africa programme has helped facilitate close to $100 million in climate finance across its first three rounds, according to programme partners.

Antony Phillipson, the British high commissioner to South Africa, said the accelerator had already supported some of the country’s most innovative low-carbon businesses. He described the latest call as “another demonstrable example” of the UK’s long-term commitment to supporting a sustainable and inclusive transition in partnership with South Africa.

Private-sector participants have also pointed to tangible benefits. Kailas Nair, chief growth officer of Plentify, which took part in the 2023 cohort, said the programme helped sharpen the company’s capital-raising strategy and opened doors to key investors in the energy sector.

Local partners say the need for investment-ready climate projects is urgent. Shameela Soobramoney, chief executive of the National Business Initiative, said South Africa required “bold, investment-ready climate solutions” and described the accelerator as one of the most effective platforms for improving the bankability of low-carbon businesses.

Over the first three iterations of the Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa, 43 projects have received technical and financial capacity-building support. Programme organisers say direct engagement with local and international investors has led to investment decisions exceeding $100 million, showing the growing role of blended finance in South Africa’s climate transition.