Call for Applications: Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator (ACRA) Program Cohort 2 to support Africa’s CDR startups, Apply Now!
Application Deadline: 14 January 2026
Call for Applications: Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator (ACRA) Program Cohort 2 to support Africa’s CDR startups, Apply Now!
Catalyzing Carbon Removal in Africa
Net Zero can’t be realized without Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). Led by bold entrepreneurs, Africa can become a CDR powerhouse. ACRA support startups in realizing this potential.
What is Carbon Dioxide Removal?
In order to avoid the worst outcomes of climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases, in particular carbon dioxide (CO2), need to be reduced as much as possible. Limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires us to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 at the very latest. However, even with great emission avoidance and reduction efforts, there still are emissions, for instance from agriculture or industrial processes, which are extremely hard and expensive to mitigate. To compensate for these, we need to actively reduce atmospheric levels of CO2 to achieve Net Zero or potentially even realize Net Negative emissions.
The process to do this is called Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and encompasses a range of solutions through which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and sequestered safely for long periods of time. This is where CDR differs from emission avoidance. While avoiding emissions prevents CO2 from enterering into the atmosphere in the first place, CDR removes existing atmospheric CO2 and stores it durably.
Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator (ACRA)
ACRA is an accelerator program designed to support Africa’s CDR startups. After the success of its first cohort, applications are open for the second Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator!
Accelerator Details
6 month program
Join the program led by CDR-focused experts, including the team from remove – a premier CDR-focused accelerator program – the sus.lab team at ETH Zurich and the Net Zero Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition. In partnership with Strathmore University and the Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research, the program will provide you with deep knowledge of CDR and support you on your entrepreneurial journey in this space.
CDR-focused community
This program provides connections to tech and policy stakeholders, leading CDR buyers, verification bodies and fundraising professionals globally, while keeping the context of Sub-Saharan Africa top of mind.
As a participant, you will gain access to a thriving and globally-connected CDR community. Connect, share knowledge and collaborate with key stakeholders in an enabling and diverse CDR ecosystem – just one click away.
Embedded in local research
As a program participant, you will benefit from the most recent findings on CDR technologies that offer the greatest sustainable development potential for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Participants will also learn about local factors critical for the development of a domestic CDR ecosystem.
Who is this for?
This is for you if you are…
- an early stage startup,
- based in Sub-Saharan Africa,
- focused on carbon removal,
- and ready to commit to an accelerator program.
You are eligible to apply if:
- CDR is front and center to the company you are building
- You are developing sound solutions grounded in science, not hype
- You want to be an active part of the CDR ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa
- You are planning to or have already founded the company and are located in Sub-Saharan Africa
- You, as founders, (will) own the majority of your company
The default for the ACRA program activities is virtual; however, ACRA will offer opportunities for in-person events throughout the program when it is helpful for the ecosystem.
VISIT THE PAGE HERE AND APPLY
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Also Check: Call for Applications: ARIN Internship Program 2026 to nurture exceptional young talents across Africa
