The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has opened applications for clean-tech startups and SMEs in Nigeria under the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) Nigeria Accelerator Fund, offering grants of up to $20,000 to support business expansion, innovation, and market growth.
REA announced the call for proposals in a post shared on X on Monday through its official handle, stating that the programme is targeted at high-potential cleantech enterprises developing innovative solutions for a more sustainable future in Nigeria.
According to the agency, the GCIP Nigeria programme will provide competition-based financial support to startups and SMEs working on clean energy and green innovation projects. REA said successful applicants would receive support aimed at accelerating business growth, improving commercialization, increasing market readiness, and strengthening technology development.
The agency explained that the programme is focused on innovative clean-tech enterprises with strong business continuity plans, sales traction, profitability potential, and problem-solving capacity. The financial support is expected to help participating businesses scale operations and expand their impact within Nigeria’s growing clean technology ecosystem.
Under the programme framework, eligible innovations have been grouped into six categories. These include Energy Efficiency Innovations, Innovations in Waste Beneficiation, E-mobility Innovations, Renewable Energy Innovations, Innovations in Green Buildings, and Innovations in Advanced Materials and Chemicals.
REA stated that the grant is mainly targeted at incubated startups and SMEs that have gone through recognised acceleration programmes with verifiable performance records. The programme is also focused on businesses that are between zero and five years old. Female-led and youth-led enterprises were strongly encouraged to apply.
The agency disclosed that applicants would be required to submit evidence of CAC registration, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and proof of registration with a reputable Nigerian incubation or innovation hub. Other required documents include financial statements signed by a chartered accountant, business plans, reference letters, compliance documents, sustainability reports, and supporting materials verifying claims made in the application.
According to the application guidelines, grant funds can be used for scaling operations, manufacturing expansion, procurement of equipment, shipping and logistics, prototype testing, pilot programmes, regulatory certifications, digital marketing, branding, and product development activities directly connected to business growth.
REA noted that grants would be disbursed in milestones and paid in naira using the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate. The agency also stated that applications backed with detailed budgets and strong supporting documentation would receive priority during evaluation.
The application window officially opened on May 11, 2026, and will run for three weeks. Interested applicants are expected to submit their completed application templates and supporting documents through the designated GCIP Nigeria process before 12:00 pm on June 1, 2026.
Applicants are required to send submissions to gcip.nigeria@rea.gov.ng using their company name as the subject of the email for the GCIP REA SME Acceleration Fund application.
