Deadline: August 31, 2025
The Sahara Impact Fund is back with its fourth cohort, offering social innovators across Africa the opportunity to transform their ideas into scalable, impactful ventures. Launched by the Sahara Group Foundation in partnership with LEAP Africa and the Impact Investment Foundation, the Sahara Impact Fund provides mentorship, capacity-building, and seed funding to entrepreneurs working on clean energy, environmental sustainability, and socially transformative projects.
With successful cohorts since 2020 and over 50 innovators empowered, the Sahara Impact Fund continues to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent.
About the Sahara Impact Fund
The Sahara Impact Fund was established in 2020 as a pan-African accelerator programme designed to identify, nurture, and support EXTRApreneurs—bold, purpose-driven innovators building solutions for Africa’s most pressing environmental and social issues.
The programme offers selected fellows:
- Expert-led mentorship
- Intensive bootcamps and workshops
- Legal and business advisory support
- Seed funding of up to $30,000 USD
Its focus remains on supporting ideas that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in clean energy access, climate action, and economic empowerment.
Programme Structure and Fellowship Journey
1. Application & Selection
Open to innovators from across Africa, the application phase includes rigorous screening based on impact potential, scalability, innovation, and relevance to the target sectors. Top applicants are shortlisted and announced as provisional fellows.
2. Fellowship Experience
Fellows participate in a structured learning programme combining:
- Virtual training
- Peer learning
- Field visits to Sahara Group sites
- Access to business development resources
The programme culminates in a demo day and grant awards, where fellows pitch for up to $30,000 USD in funding.
3. Post-Fellowship Support
Beyond the grant, selected fellows benefit from:
- Ongoing mentoring and business coaching
- Visibility across Sahara Group Foundation’s media platforms
- Access to investor networks and regional accelerators
Key Dates for 2025 Cohort
| Milestone | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | July 1 |
| Application Closes | August 31 |
| Initial Screening | Sept 1 – 13 |
| Provisional Fellows Announced | September 27 |
| Mentorship & Visit Period | Sept 29 – Oct 10 |
| Final Cohort Selection | October 24 |
| Programme Closeout Bootcamp | March 10, 2026 |
Proven Impact Across Africa
Since its inception, the Sahara Impact Fund has supported changemakers from over 19 African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Malawi. Fellows have gone on to build ventures in:
- Renewable energy solutions
- Recycling and waste management
- Sustainable agriculture
- Eco-packaging innovations
Each year, the top-performing fellows receive seed funding and ongoing visibility, expanding their reach and deepening community impact.
In the 2023 cohort, 20 fellows were selected, with 10 receiving $5,000 each in grants to scale their operations.
The Vision Behind Sahara Impact Fund
The Sahara Impact Fund is central to the Sahara Group Foundation’s EXTRApreneurship Strategy, which seeks to inspire African-led innovation for sustainable growth. By identifying grassroots entrepreneurs and providing the tools to succeed, the Foundation contributes to the realisation of Africa’s development aspirations.
The programme also complements Sahara’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Ready to Apply?
If you are a social innovator with a working prototype or an early-stage solution addressing clean energy or environmental issues, this is your opportunity to take your impact to the next level.
👉 Click here to apply for the Sahara Impact Fund
👉 Read more about the programme
Need Help With Your Application?
For support with proposal drafting, refining, and review, contact grantsdatabase.org.
