ShEquity Partners (“ShEquity”), in partnership with the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) and Greentec Capital Africa Foundation, has officially announced the call for submission for its first gender-smart climate Technical Assistance (TA) Facility (the “Facility”). The Facility is open to all Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the following sectors: circular economy and waste valorisation; clean cooking; nature-based solutions; renewable energy; sustainable agriculture; and sustainable mobility.

Eligible gender-smart green SMEs operating in Ghana are invited to apply for this first-of-its-kind Gender-Smart Climate Technical Assistance (TA) Facility, designed to unlock their access to global carbon markets. Applications are open until January 9, 2025.

The Facility aims to enhance SMEs' knowledge and technical skills to access carbon markets, foster sustainable job creation, and attract private investment. It provides participants with the tools to collaborate with major certifiers, such as Verra, Gold Standard, and I-REC, while aligning their businesses with key policy frameworks, such as Article 6 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The Facility will support the 30 selected gender-smart, green SMEs with training on carbon market access and investment readiness. Fifteen companies will receive Carbon Opportunity Maps, while 10 will be introduced to investors and certifiers. The top two businesses will progress to carbon credit project development, supported in creating Project Design Documents (PDDs) and receiving USD 25,000 each for certification efforts.

Commenting on the launch, Pauline Koelbl, Founder & Managing Partner of ShEquity, said: “We are excited to launch this pilot program in partnership with AWE/GIZ and the GreenTec Africa Foundation to advance carbon market frameworks in Ghana, ultimately expanding to Kenya, Nigeria, and other African markets in 2026. At ShEquity, we believe that unlocking Africa's potential requires bold solutions that connect gender, climate, and finance.

Our gender-smart Climate Technical Assistance Facility is a vital element of our strategy, leveraging Article 6 to reduce risks and enhance the integrity of climate data. By integrating gender and climate action, we are creating investable opportunities that drive climate impact while addressing Africa's gender funding gap.”

Christina Pfandl, AWE advisor in Accra, highlighted: “This pilot project underscores AWE’s commitment to driving sustainable economic growth by deepening cooperation between African and German stakeholders. Our goal is to expand access to private capital and support climate-focused, gender-smart businesses with strong potential to scale across African markets and participate in global value chains. By opening pathways to carbon markets and fostering meaningful collaboration between purpose-driven African entrepreneurs, German investors, and businesses, this initiative lays a solid foundation for long-term, resilient partnerships that deliver both climate and socio-economic impact.”

The TA Facility is a key element of ShEquity's investment strategy aimed at "De-risking and Unlocking the Growth of Sustainable, Gender-smart Green SMEs in Africa." It supports climate-oriented, gender-smart small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by facilitating access to carbon markets and investment-readiness assistance, including tailored coaching and connections to investors.

This facility aligns with national and international sustainability goals, such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It helps address financing and capacity-building gaps for early-stage businesses focused on gender equality and climate resilience. Additionally, its connection with the ShEquity Climate Fund increases the chances for participating SMEs to secure investments.

For more details and how to submit your application, please click here.

About ShEquity

ShEquity Partners (ShEquity) is a gender-lens investment firm committed to accelerating Africa’s green transition through gender-smart investing. Its current fund, the ShEquity Climate Fund L.P., backs early-growth-stage, gender-smart green SMEs that meet 2X Challenge criteria and combine commercial viability with scalable climate solutions. ShEquity applies a systemic investment approach that integrates tailored investment-readiness and carbon-market participation support through its TA Facility with direct capital deployment via the ShEquity Climate Fund, accelerating the growth of gender-smart climate solutions. Eligible ventures typically have at least three years of operations, strong leadership, and a clear path to profitability.

For more information, please visit the ShEquity website (https://shequity.com/). 

About the Agency for Business & Economic Development (AWE)

The Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) supports the German and European business community with sustainable projects and investments in countries of the Global South. With its network of over 50 experts in Germany and abroad, AWE offers individual advice on funding, financing and project development and establishes contacts worldwide. AWE's experts provide access to strategic partners, support the transfer of know-how and make it easier for companies to enter promising markets. By establishing new partnerships and innovative solutions, economic players from countries in the Global South benefit and local economies are strengthened.

AWE is part of the Partners in Transformation business and development network of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by two strong partners: the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and DEG Impulse gGmbH.