Objectives
We aim to:
- Improve access to sustainable energy by building a regional market for off-grid solar products.
- Support stakeholders across the off-grid solar value chain.
- Promote quality off-grid solar products and environmental, social and gender risk management.
Benefits
Customised training
programmes for
entrepreneurs, SMEs,
large solar companies
and financial
institutions
Grant windows for
eligible and qualified
businesses between
$15,000 and $250,000
for certified off-grid
and standalone solar
systems
Application support & milestone monitoring
B2B networking &
annual business plan
competition
Application Guide
About ROGEAP
The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), implemented by ECOWAS and managed by its Project Fund Manager (PFM), is co-financed by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund, and the Netherlands DGIS.
ROGEAP’s mission is to:
- Improve access to sustainable electricity for households, businesses, and communities
- Build a resilient and competitive regional market for off-grid solar (OGS) products
- Strengthen the capacity of stakeholders across the solar energy value chain
- Promote responsible environmental, social, and gender practices in the sector
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
- Benin,
- Burkina Faso,
- Cameroon,
- Chad,
- Côte d’Ivoire,
- Gambia,
- Ghana,
- Liberia,
- Mali,
- Mauritania,
- Niger,
- Nigeria,
- Sierra Leone.
Who Can Apply?
This Special Call is strictly limited to individuals and businesses who:
Previously applied for a ROGEAP grant but were placed on the waiting list
ROGEAP’s mission is to:
Operate in the off-grid solar PV sector
Are based in one or more of the eligible countries listed below
This is a closed call – the application link must not be shared.
Grant Process
1
Register your company details during an open call starting June 15th 2025. Fill the SME profiling and application form
2
Eligible and pre-qualified companies
will be contacted to submit a full
proposal.
3
Attend the training on technical requirements, financial and business plan development.
4
Submit a full proposal with business
and financial plans, registration
documents and proof of matching
contributions.
5
Qualified companies will be
contacted and verified for due
diligence.
6
The full proposal, the evaluation and
due diligence reports will be the basis for the final financing decision.
7
Applicants may be invited for an online interview with the Investment Committee.
8
Approved businesses will be offered a financing agreement defining milestones and equity contributions.
9
Approved businesses are invited to a pre-disbursement workshop on financing procedures.
10
Grants will be disbursed based on results achieved.
11
Grantees submit quarterly reports on grant utilisation
and progress made.
12
At the end of the grant period, grantees submit a final report
and remain available for impact evaluation.
Eligibility
Start-up company
Early-stage company
Growth-stage company
- < 3 full-time staff
- < 300 solar home kits or <1,500 lanterns sold
- Annual revenue of <$100,000
- 3 – 25 full-time staff
- 300 – 30,000 solar home kits or 1,500 – 30,000 lanterns sold
- Annual revenue of <$3,000,000
- 25 full-time staff
- 30,000 solar home kits or > 30,000 lanterns sold
- Annual revenue of >$3,000,000
If the awardee terminates the financing agreement or abandons the project, they shall be obliged to refund the entire amount received.
Grant Windows
Matching Grant
- For start-ups and early-stage companies to launch or expand operations
- Locally registered business owned in majority by national, ECOWAS or project country citizen and operating in an eligible country
- Grant amount: $10,000 – $25,000
- 25% equity contribution
- Acceptable co-financing includes business investments (rent, equipment, labour), private investments and loans
- Disbursement of up to 50% of the total amount per tranche based on agreed milestones within 12 or up to 18 months
- Participation in project technical assistance programme or recognised capacity building
- For early-stage and growth-stage companies to increase operations across communities and countries
- Locally registered business owned in majority by national, ECOWAS or project country citizen and operating in an eligible country
- Grant amount: $50,000 – $150,000
- 10%- 15% equity contribution
- Acceptable co-financing includes business investments (rent, equipment, labour), private investments and loans
- Disbursement of up to 50% of the total amount per tranche based on agreed milestones within 24 or up to 30 months
- Participation in project technical assistance programme or recognised capacity building
Market-Entry Grant
Performance
Based Grant
- For early-stage and growth-stage companies to deploy off-grid solutions in hard-to reach markets and remote communities
- Locally registered business owned in majority by national, ECOWAS or project country citizen and operating in an eligible country
- Grant amount: $150,000 – $250,000
- 10% equity contribution
- Acceptable co-financing includes business investments (rent, equipment, labour), private investments and loans
- Disbursement of up to 50% of the total amount per tranche based on agreed milestones within 24 or up to 30 months
- Participation in project technical assistance programme or recognised capacity building
Performance Indicators
Certified installers
Increased skills
Full-time staff
Revenue & unit sales
Eligible Expenses
- Inventory (stock to be sold out) or sample products: off-grid solar systems (lanterns & SHS) are products with a capacity of 350 Wp or less and approved VeraSol certification or IEC/TS 62257-9-8 standard adopted by ECOWAS.
- Hardware and small equipment (computers, phones, pay-as-you-go, etc.)
- Software (accounting, pay-as-you-go, etc.)
- Project-related staff salaries and consultants’ fees (<30% of the budget)
- Certification, copyright, patents, and other permits
- Consumer awareness communication and marketing, sales, and distribution costs for promoting the technology, product, or service
- Other expenses directly related to the execution of the Project and approved by the IC (<20% of the budget)
- Market entry/feasibility studies, juridical advice on entry, fiscal support
Eneligible Expenses
- Items already financed through another grant, program, or institution
- Bank and currency exchange expenses, losses, fees, and penalties
- Purchase or rent of land or buildings, including any renovation
- Cash payments
- Other World Bank restrictions apply
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Eligible Expenses
This special call is targeting the following countries:
- Matching Grants (MG):
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone. - Market Entry Grants and Performance-Based Grants (MEG/PBG):
Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger.
ELIGIBLE SMEs
- All previous applicants who were not awarded grants in earlier calls are eligible to reapply.
- Reapplying SMEs must submit improved proposals that build on previous submissions and incorporate any received feedback.
Application portal opens June 23th 2025.
Get Your Application Forms and Templates
Access all the forms and templates you need to complete your application process successfully.
Application to qualify as a Businesses for Matching Grant (MG)
Submit your application to qualify as an eligible business for the Matching Grant (MG) program.
Project Fiche Information
Financial statement
Business Modal Canva for MG
Application to qualify as a Businesses for Market Entry Grant (MEG)
Apply to qualify as an eligible business for the Market Entry Grant (MEG) and expand your reach into new markets.
Project Fiche Information
Financial statement
Full Application for MEG
Application to qualify as a Businesses for Performance-Based Grant (PBG)
Apply to qualify as an eligible business for the Performance-Based Grant (PBG) to scale your operations through performance incentives.
Project Fiche Information
Financial statement
Full Application for PBG
Are you a SME with questions, concerns, or feedback about your grant application?
The PFM Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is here to support you. Please use the form below to submit your grievance securely. Your voice matters and will be treated with confidentiality and care. Click the button or scan the QR code to file your complaint according to your prefer langage.
For more information mail: info@rogeappfm.com