About this opportunity
Clean energy companies in Ethiopia have an opportunity to access technical assistance and grant support through the ASCENT Project Preparation Facility (PPF) Private Sector Support Window.
The facility is designed to help promising distributed renewable energy (DRE) and clean cooking businesses become investment-ready and secure financing from investors and lenders. Ethiopia is explicitly included among the participating ASCENT countries, and companies that want to be considered in the next application review cycle should submit their applications by 31 October 2026.
Unlike a general business grant, ASCENT PPF focuses on the costs and activities involved in preparing projects for investment. Support can include transaction advisory, financial modelling, due diligence, ESG compliance and other project-preparation activities that can help a company reach financing or financial close.
ASCENT PPF Grant 2026 at a Glance
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | ASCENT Project Preparation Facility (PPF) |
| Window | Private Sector Support Window |
| Country | Ethiopia is eligible |
| Deadline for next review cycle | 31 October 2026 |
| Target applicants | Established clean-energy companies |
| Minimum operating history | 3 years |
| Solar Home Systems revenue requirement | At least US$250,000 annually |
| Mini-grid revenue requirement | At least US$150,000 annually |
| Clean cooking revenue requirement | At least US$150,000 annually |
| Productive Use of Energy revenue requirement | At least US$150,000 annually |
| Support type | Technical assistance and grants |
| Main purpose | Project preparation and investment readiness |
| Application | Online |
| CAPEX funding | Not supported |
| Working capital | Not supported |
| Inventory financing | Not supported |
The ASCENT PPF was created to address a financing gap faced by clean-energy businesses that have promising projects but need additional preparation before they can secure investment.
What Is the ASCENT PPF?
ASCENT stands for Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation.
The broader ASCENT initiative is working to accelerate access to clean and reliable electricity across participating African countries. In Ethiopia, the World Bank-supported ASCENT program is focused on expanding electricity access and supporting the country’s transition toward more reliable and sustainable energy services.
The ASCENT Project Preparation Facility, or ASCENT PPF, addresses a different problem.
Many clean-energy companies may have:
- A viable business model
- Existing customers
- Revenue
- Potential investors
- A promising energy project
but may still need money and technical expertise to complete the work required before investors can commit financing.
This can include feasibility work, financial modelling, due diligence, transaction preparation and environmental and social requirements.
The ASCENT PPF Private Sector Support Window is designed to help companies overcome this project-preparation gap.
Who Is the ASCENT PPF Grant For?
The opportunity is aimed at established private-sector clean-energy companies, not individual entrepreneurs or newly created businesses.
Eligible businesses can include companies working in areas such as:
- Solar Home Systems
- Mini-grids
- Clean cooking
- Productive Use of Energy
- Distributed Renewable Energy
- Other qualifying clean-energy activities
The facility is particularly interested in companies that are already operating and are working toward attracting financing for growth or specific projects.
Is Ethiopia Eligible?
Yes.
Ethiopia is explicitly listed among the countries participating in ASCENT and therefore among the countries eligible for the ASCENT PPF Private Sector Support Window. The current participating-country list also includes Burundi, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, São Tomé and PrÃncipe, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to established Ethiopian clean-energy businesses.
However, being registered in Ethiopia is only one requirement. Companies must also satisfy the facility’s financial, operational and management requirements.
What Companies Are Eligible?
The ASCENT PPF has several mandatory requirements.
An eligible company must:
- Be registered in an ASCENT participating country.
- Have operated for at least three years.
- Have verifiable revenues.
- Have an experienced management team.
- Be actively engaging with investors or lenders.
- Meet the applicable minimum annual revenue threshold.
- Provide the required organizational and financial documentation.
This means that a newly established Ethiopian startup with a good idea but no operating history will generally not meet the requirements for this particular funding window.
Minimum Revenue Requirements
One of the most important eligibility conditions is the company’s annual revenue.
Solar Home System Companies
Companies operating in Solar Home Systems need at least:
US$250,000 in annual revenue
Mini-Grid Companies
Companies operating mini-grids need at least:
US$150,000 in annual revenue
Clean Cooking Companies
Eligible clean cooking companies need at least:
US$150,000 in annual revenue
Productive Use of Energy Companies
Companies operating in qualifying Productive Use of Energy activities need at least:
US$150,000 in annual revenue
These thresholds are important because this is designed for existing businesses preparing projects for investment, rather than very early-stage companies.
What Kind of Support Does ASCENT PPF Provide?
The ASCENT PPF provides support around project preparation and investment readiness.
Depending on the company’s needs and the eligible project, support can include:
Project Preparation
Companies may receive assistance with activities necessary to turn a promising project into an investment-ready opportunity.
Investment Readiness
The facility can help companies prepare for engagement with potential investors and lenders.
Financial Modelling
Financial models can be important when demonstrating whether an energy project is commercially viable and how investors can expect the project to perform.
Transaction Advisory
Companies may receive support related to transactions and the process of securing financing.
Due Diligence
Due-diligence activities can help investors and lenders evaluate the company and its proposed project.
ESG Compliance
Support can include environmental, social and governance requirements that are increasingly important when companies seek institutional or development-finance investment.
The facility describes these activities as part of its effort to help businesses unlock debt, equity and results-based financing.
What ASCENT PPF Does NOT Fund
This is one of the most important sections for applicants.
The ASCENT PPF Private Sector Support Window does not provide:
- General working capital
- Inventory financing
- CAPEX financing
- Funding for primary technology development
Therefore, a company should not apply expecting the program to simply provide money to purchase equipment, pay ordinary operating expenses or finance general business activities.
The support is focused on project preparation, investment readiness and activities directly linked to securing financing.
Example: Who Could Be a Good Applicant?
Consider an Ethiopian solar company that:
- Has operated for more than three years.
- Has annual revenues above the applicable threshold.
- Already has customers and operating experience.
- Has identified a large solar-energy project.
- Is discussing financing with potential investors.
- Needs technical assistance to complete financial modelling, due diligence and transaction preparation.
A company in this position could potentially be a strong candidate for the ASCENT PPF, provided it satisfies all other eligibility requirements.
By contrast, someone who has just created a solar startup and is looking for US$20,000 to launch the business would not fit the purpose of this particular window.
Required Documents
Companies applying for the ASCENT PPF should prepare several important documents.
The current call identifies the following mandatory documentation:
1. Certificate of Company Registration
The company needs to demonstrate that it is legally incorporated or registered.
2. Tax Registration Certificate
Applicants need to provide a tax registration certificate or equivalent documentation.
3. Audited Financial Statements
Applicants must provide audited financial statements for FY2024/2025.
This is important because the facility needs to verify the company’s financial position and revenue.
4. CVs of Key Personnel
The application requires CVs of key personnel, including the company’s full-time CEO or Managing Director.
5. Investor Letters of Intent
Companies should provide signed letters of intent from investors referenced in the application.
These documents help demonstrate that the company is actively engaging with potential financiers rather than simply submitting an unfunded business idea.
Why Investor Engagement Matters
The ASCENT PPF is designed around the idea of helping companies move toward financing.
Therefore, applicants should be able to demonstrate meaningful engagement with:
- Investors
- Banks
- Lenders
- Development-finance institutions
- Other potential financing partners
A company should clearly explain:
What project needs financing?
How much financing is needed?
Who are the potential financiers?
What preparation work remains?
How will ASCENT PPF support help the company reach financing?
A clear answer to these questions can make the application much more coherent.
ASCENT PPF Application Deadline
The Private Sector Support Window uses periodic batch reviews rather than a single permanent annual deadline.
Applications submitted by 31 August 2026 were included in the previous review cycle.
For consideration in the next review cycle, applications should be submitted by:
31 October 2026
Applications submitted after this date are expected to be carried forward to a subsequent review cycle, currently planned for early 2027.
For a company that already has the necessary documents and investor relationships, applying before 31 October is therefore the best option.
How to Apply Online
The application is submitted online through the ASCENT PPF application platform.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that your company:
- Is registered in an ASCENT country.
- Has operated for at least three years.
- Has verifiable revenue.
- Meets the applicable revenue threshold.
- Has an experienced management team.
- Is actively engaging investors or lenders.
Step 2: Identify the Project
Clearly identify the clean-energy project for which preparation support is required.
Explain the project’s:
- Location
- Technology
- Target customers
- Business model
- Current development stage
- Financing requirement
- Expected impact
Step 3: Identify the Preparation Gap
Explain exactly what prevents the project from becoming investment-ready.
For example:
- Financial modelling
- Technical feasibility
- Due diligence
- ESG preparation
- Transaction advisory
- Investment documentation
Step 4: Prepare the Required Documents
Have your registration, tax, audited financial statements, management CVs and investor letters ready.
Step 5: Submit Online
Complete the application through the official ASCENT PPF application portal.
Companies should use the official application information and current guidance before submitting.
Why This Opportunity Matters for Ethiopia
Energy access remains an important development challenge in Ethiopia.
The World Bank’s ASCENT Ethiopia program is intended to expand access to clean and reliable electricity and support the country’s wider energy-access objectives. The program is expected to benefit households, businesses and public institutions while strengthening the energy sector.
The private sector can play an important role in expanding distributed energy services, particularly where businesses can develop commercially viable models that reach underserved communities.
The ASCENT PPF therefore addresses an important part of the financing chain: helping companies prepare projects so they can attract larger sources of investment.
Who Should NOT Apply?
This opportunity is probably not suitable for:
- Individual applicants
- Students looking for funding
- Job seekers
- Newly registered startups without three years of operations
- Companies without verifiable revenue
- Businesses below the applicable revenue threshold
- Businesses looking for ordinary working capital
- Businesses seeking inventory financing
- Companies looking for general equipment purchases
- Projects unrelated to clean energy
If you are an individual Ethiopian looking for a scholarship, fellowship or personal grant, you should look for a different opportunity.
For other opportunities, you can explore the grants and opportunities section on The Index and check our guides for Ethiopian job seekers and graduates.
Tips for Ethiopian Companies Applying
Make the financing need clear
Do not simply say that your company needs funding.
Explain exactly what project-preparation activities need support and why they are necessary to secure financing.
Demonstrate existing traction
Show evidence of:
- Customers
- Revenue
- Projects
- Partnerships
- Operational history
- Investor discussions
Prepare your financial documents early
Audited financial statements are among the mandatory documents. Do not wait until the deadline to begin collecting them.
Explain the investor pathway
If you are already talking to investors or lenders, clearly explain:
- Who they are
- What type of financing they are considering
- What stage discussions have reached
- What remains before financing can be finalized
Focus on investment readiness
Remember that the ASCENT PPF is fundamentally about preparing projects to attract financing.
Your proposal should therefore make a clear connection between:
ASCENT support → project preparation → investment readiness → financing → clean-energy impact
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASCENT PPF available in Ethiopia?
Yes. Ethiopia is explicitly listed among the countries participating in ASCENT and is eligible for the Private Sector Support Window, subject to the full eligibility requirements.
What is the ASCENT PPF?
The ASCENT Project Preparation Facility is a financing-support mechanism designed to help clean-energy companies prepare projects and become investment-ready.
Is this a general startup grant?
No. This is an important distinction. The facility is intended for established clean-energy companies and does not provide general startup funding, working capital, inventory financing or CAPEX.
How many years must the company have operated?
The company must have at least three years of operations and verifiable revenues.
What is the minimum revenue?
Solar Home System companies need at least US$250,000 annual revenue. Mini-grid, clean cooking and Productive Use of Energy companies need at least US$150,000 annual revenue.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for consideration in the next review cycle is 31 October 2026. Applications submitted later will be carried forward to a subsequent review cycle currently planned for early 2027.
Can an individual apply?
No. The opportunity is designed for eligible companies rather than individual applicants.
Does ASCENT PPF give companies cash for equipment?
Not as general CAPEX financing. The facility specifically states that CAPEX financing is not supported. Its focus is project preparation and investment readiness.
Can a new Ethiopian startup apply?
A newly established company would generally not meet the three-year operating-history requirement. The company also needs verifiable revenue and must satisfy the applicable revenue threshold.
What sectors are covered?
The Private Sector Support Window focuses on Distributed Renewable Energy and Clean Cooking businesses, including areas such as Solar Home Systems, mini-grids, clean cooking and Productive Use of Energy.
Final Takeaway
The ASCENT PPF Private Sector Support Window is a valuable opportunity for established Ethiopian clean-energy companies that are ready to move from operating a business toward securing larger investment.
The most important point is that this is not a general business grant. Applicants need at least three years of operations, verifiable revenues, an experienced management team and active engagement with investors or lenders. They must also meet the applicable revenue threshold.
For qualifying Ethiopian companies, the opportunity provides a potential pathway to obtain technical assistance and grant support for activities such as financial modelling, due diligence, transaction advisory and ESG compliance.
The next review-cycle deadline is 31 October 2026, so eligible companies should begin preparing their documents and application as soon as possible.