The Financial Times invites entries for the Africa Sustainable Futures Awards. This program recognizes innovative, private sector-led solutions that address development challenges across Africa in sectors such as energy access, agribusiness, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure. The awards are open to businesses and organizations operating commercially viable initiatives that demonstrate impact, scalability, and financial sustainability within the continent. While the awards provide significant international visibility and networking opportunities at the FT’s Africa Summit in London, specific cash prize amounts are not publicly specified. The deadline for submitting entries is 30 June 2026. Africa Sustainable Futures Awards
Africa
World Academy of Sciences — TWAS-Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites nominations for the Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences. The prize aims to recognize scientists for their achievements in Biological Sciences. Eligible nominees are female scientists national of a low-income African country. The prize is a US$5 thousand cash award. Nominations should be submitted electronically before 30 June 2026. Award in Biological Sciences
Heritage Management Organization — Small Grants for African Heritage Projects
The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) funds projects that focus on the protection of and/or promotion of local heritage for socio-economic development in Africa. Small grants of up to US$50 thousand are made to organizations, groups, and individuals. Projects should have a long-lasting impact and benefit local people. Potential examples are protecting heritage sites from desertification by creating green belts, especially where such green areas can increase biodiversity, bring benefits to local agriculture, and encourage tourism. Applications can be submitted anytime. Know more
Enel Foundation — Open Global Power 2026
The Enel Foundation provides advanced training for young energy professionals through Open Global Power. This program offers a structured learning journey focused on the technical, regulatory, and business skills required for a sustainable energy transition. Eligible applicants must be between 24 and 35 years old and hold a master’s degree, MBA, or PhD. Candidates must also be citizens and residents of an African country, Brazil, or Chile, with at least one degree from a university in those regions. While the program does not provide a traditional cash grant, it offers fully funded participation in online modules and a selective residential module in Italy for top performers. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2026. Open Global Power
Well Aware — Water Projects in East Africa
Well Aware aims to help local communities in East Africa find sustainable solutions to address water scarcity and contamination. Well Aware aims to support its water projects with integrated project planning; technical evaluation; project oversight; promotion of partnerships; community training in sanitation and hygiene; and community empowerment. At this time, Well Aware is only actively implementing water projects in Kenya and Tanzania. Applications can be submitted at any time; there is no deadline. About Well Aware
Rescued Tools Foundation — Tools and Small Equipment for Grassroots Groups in Africa
The Rescued Tools Foundation (Stichting Gered Gereedschap) collects and refurbishes discarded tools and small items of equipment in the Netherlands for the benefit of recipients in Sub-Saharan Africa. The priority countries are Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania and Ghana. The Foundation favors projects that offer opportunities for women, marginalized groups, co-operatives, and ecological awareness and environmental protection. Organizations that meet the Foundation’s criteria for assistance can fill out an application form. About
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation — Environmental Grant Making
The Mott Foundation funds grants in the United States and, on a limited geographic basis, internationally. The theme “Environment” supports projects around the world that protect communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The program “Transforming Development Finance” aims to guard against unwise capital investments in large-scale dams, extractive industries, and other major projects which threaten environmental sustainability and local economic opportunity in China, Latin America, and other regions of the developing world. The program “Advancing Climate Change Solutions” makes grants to reduce policy and financial barriers to investments in clean energy, and to provide technical assistance and networking opportunities to communities in the Amazon and Sub-Saharan Africa. Letters of inquiry are accepted all year. Info for Grantseekers
African Development Bank — Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) provides catalytic finance to unlock private-sector investments in renewable energy. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments. Funding requests must be aligned with three strategic priorities: (1) Green Baseload; (2) Green Mini-Grids; and (3) Energy Efficiency. Technical assistance grants are available to public and private sector entities. Applications can be submitted anytime. Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa
Rainforest Trust — Creating New Protected Areas
The Rainforest Trust partners with local conservation organizations to create new protected areas and expand existing ones for Critically Endangered and Endangered species. The Initiative invites applications for conservation partnerships from nonprofit entities and NGOs for projects in tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Applying organizations may submit proposals for either a land purchase or a protected area designation. Applications to create new protected areas are reviewed three times per year. The application deadlines are 01 July and 01 October 2026. Applications for less than US$250 thousand may be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Link
Orange Telecom — Orange Social Venture Prize 2026
The Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) supports entrepreneurs using technology to drive social and environmental change across Africa and the Middle East. Orange invites tech-based startups and individuals to apply if their projects address local needs in fields such as health, education, agriculture, or sustainable development. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and based in one of the 17 participating countries, including Botswana, Egypt, Morocco, and Senegal. The competition features a national stage followed by an international grand prix, where three winners receive prizes of €25 thousand, €15 thousand, and €10 thousand respectively, alongside an additional €20 thousand International Women’s Prize for projects supporting women’s empowerment. The deadline for applications is 10 May 2026. Social Venture Prize