This is an opportunity for Nigerian females operating green economy businesses to share $200,000 grants, courtesy US government and Amazon.
The grant awaits 56 Nigerian females running green economy businesses who can come up with the brightest ideas for expansion.
The initiative, called “She Sustains Accelerator Program” is from the Climate Gender Equity Fund (CGEF) being promoted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Amazon.
CGEF supports the program which is managed by 2X Global and implemented in Nigeria by Clean Tech Hub.
According to Clean Tech, the grant empowers pioneer climate-focused start-ups and early-stage green businesses through education, mentorship, and financing.
Fifty-six winners will emerge to share the grant, with 19 winners each from the first two cohorts, and 18 from the third.
Clean Tech Hub, the Abuja-based alternative energy firm, announced the launch of Cohort 1 of the She Sustains Accelerator Program.
According to the organisation, the deadline for submission of entries is 29 March 2024.
Only women-led green businesses can participate and can do so via this link: https://tinyurl.com/CTHSheSustains.
How it works
Ifeoma Malo, founder and CEO of Clean Tech Hub, said her company strives to ensure proper representation of women and Nigeria in the global climate and environment discourse and activities.
Winners would partake in equity-free grants of up to $200,000, gain access to a worldwide pool of investors, and exploit other sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities.
“Clean Tech uses She Sustains to catalyse gender-responsive climate innovation, empowering women entrepreneurs to drive meaningful change while addressing critical environmental challenges in Africa and beyond,” she said.
The Green Economy
The “green economy” refers to an economy run under sustainability principles and minimal environmental impact.
Crucial elements of a green economy are renewable energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass; energy efficiency. It also includes green infrastructure, such as green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and permeable pavements.
The CGEF Fund
CGEF is one of the first major activities of USAID’s Climate Finance for Development Accelerator (CFDA), a $250 million initiative to mobilise $2.5 billion in public and private climate investments by 2030.
The goal is to fund a range of climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions focused on scaling up the transition to an equitable and resilient net-zero economy.
Launched with an initial commitment of $6 million between USAID and Amazon, CGEF seeks to leverage at least $60 million in capital from corporations, foundations, bi/multi-laterals, and other funders.
CGEF iss targeted to reach women climate leaders in global emerging markets where USAID operates.
Additionally, through the Climate Pledge Fund’s Female Founder Initiative, Amazon separately committed to investing $50 million in women-led and women-founded climate technology companies aimed at meeting the company’s net-zero carbon goals.
