Shell Foundation and Accion open applications for ClimaFii Alliance second cohort
The Climate and Finance Innovations (ClimaFii) Alliance continues its mission to bring financing and sustainable energy solutions to microenterprises across sub-Saharan Africa and India.
WASHINGTON, DC, December 11, 2025 – UK charity Shell Foundation, and global nonprofit Accion, together with BFA Global and Upaya Social Ventures, today announced the opening of applications for the second cohort of the Climate and Finance Innovations (ClimaFii) Alliance. The program invites climate enterprises (startups / SMEs) across sub-Saharan Africa and India to apply for the next phase of the program, designed to accelerate the adoption and financing of emission-reducing energy and electric mobility technologies for microenterprises.
The ClimaFii Alliance was launched in January 2025 to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions in low-income communities in sub-Saharan Africa and India. It was created to provide catalytic funding and technical assistance to startups delivering clean energy and electric mobility solutions to microenterprises across these regions. Twenty companies from across sub-Saharan Africa and India are already receiving support and connections to potential financing partners through the ClimaFii Alliance. This mission continues into the second cohort through a strengthened focus on climate innovation and financial sector partnerships.
For the second cohort, BFA Global and Upaya Social Ventures will continue partnering with climate enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa and India to accelerate and scale solutions shaped by local market needs. The Alliance will bring together organizations that advance the deployment and adoption of productive use energy and electric mobility solutions for microenterprises. This spans solutions that reduce emissions through renewable energy-powered agri-processing and cold-chain systems, electric mobility and battery innovations, bioenergy and the use of alternate energy, solar-powered productive-use technologies, and clean energy distribution and financing models – all targeting microenterprises.
Accion will collaborate with financial service providers to design affordable financial products that allow microenterprises to access and afford these climate solutions. This work will contribute to closing the financing gap that prevents many microenterprises from securing the tools, inventory, and clean energy technologies needed to increase their productivity and resilience, and increase income.
Shell Foundation is supporting the ClimaFii Alliance as part of its charitable mission to increase incomes while cutting emissions for millions of people across South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Support for the program is co-funded with UK aid through the Transforming Energy Access platform.
Jonathan Berman, CEO at Shell Foundation, said:
“The green transition works when it raises people’s incomes. This partnership with Accion aligns fully with our global mission to help microentrepreneurs increase their incomes while reducing emissions through clean energy solutions. Through the Climate and Finance Innovations (ClimaFii) Alliance, and by working with proven partners such as Accion, BFA Global, and Upaya Social Ventures, we are proud to accelerate the expansion of impactful solutions that enable millions of people to improve their livelihoods.”
Michael Schlein, President and CEO of Accion, said:
“Small businesses are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, floods, and other climate shocks. Urgently, we need to build resilience and reduce emissions. Today, we’re accepting applications for the second cohort of the ClimaFii Alliance to help increase access to affordable financing for clean technologies for small businesses around the world.”
About Shell Foundation
For 25 years, Shell Foundation, an independent charity registered in England and Wales, empowers underserved customers to raise their incomes while lowering emissions. The Foundation supports early-stage innovations, helps the best of them to reach millions of people, and de-risks capital to prove those models are commercial at scale. Across Asia and Africa, the Foundation enables resilient prosperity among three core groups of people: smallholder farmers, transporters, and micro-entrepreneurs. Find more at https://shellfoundation.org/
About Accion
Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 285 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 77 countries, reaching 478 million people. More at https://www.accion.org
About BFA Global
BFA Global is an impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people and the planet. We partner with leading public, private and philanthropic organizations, global and local, to catalyze innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets. Since 2006, we have completed 700 projects completed in over 105 countries, supported 143+ ventures in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, who have collectively raised $815M+ in follow-on funding, and have a survival rate above 80% (global average is ~20%), and built a network of 100+ global and African investors, innovators, and funders focused on climate resilience. Learn more at https://bfaglobal.com/
About Upaya Social Ventures
Upaya Social Ventures is a nonprofit organization building an inclusive economy by providing investment and support to early-stage businesses creating dignified jobs for people living in the most extreme poverty. Upaya’s award-winning, impact-first model seeks out and supports oft-overlooked companies creating work that is safe, stable, inclusive, and rewarding — generating a transformative impact on families, communities, and economies. Since its founding in 2011, Upaya’s portfolio companies have created over 72,000 dignified jobs across India. Please visit upayasv.org for more information.