The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) has recently called for proposals under the PURE Growth Fund Tanzania, a landmark initiative designed to integrate renewable energy solutions into Tanzania’s agri-food systems.
With €2.5 million in incentive capital, the Fund aims to increase the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE), driving inclusive, low-emission development and reinforcing national efforts to transition toward a more resilient, sustainable future.
Launched with the support of the Government of Austria, this initiative sits at the nexus of two of Tanzania’s most vital sectors—agriculture and energy. Together, they form the backbone of the country’s economy, employing over half the population and contributing 24.3% to national GDP.
The PURE Growth Fund aligns with Tanzania’s strategic objectives to modernise agriculture, expand access to clean energy in rural areas, and increase renewable energy’s contribution to the national mix to 75% by 2030. According to REEEP’s Director of Programmes, Merja Laakso, “The programme will de-risk the private sector and move beyond technology deployment toward holistic ecosystem integration.”
PURE technologies such as solar-powered irrigation, off-grid cold storage, and energy-efficient processing equipment are central to transforming how food is produced, stored, and transported in Tanzania. These solutions reduce post-harvest losses, increase productivity, and help rural communities build resilience against climate and economic shocks.
The Fund’s first window offers investment tickets between €250,000 and €1 million, alongside technical assistance and policy engagement. This support is tailored to help clean energy SMEs and agri-enterprises scale operations, boost profitability, and serve a growing customer base in underserved areas.
The call for proposals will remain open until 1 August 2025, with selected projects scheduled for implementation beginning January 2026. The PURE Growth Fund represents the first phase of a broader multi-country programme that REEEP intends to roll out across the Global South.
Eva Kelly, REEEP’s CEO, noted, “There is extraordinary potential for renewable energy to transform agri-food value chains across the Global South. We are thrilled to launch this programme in Tanzania.”
The Tanzanian government has welcomed the Fund as a major milestone. “The launch of the PURE Growth Fund marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower local communities by integrating renewable energy solutions into agriculture,” said Hon. Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa, Minister of Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI).
Austria’s Elfriede Anna More, Deputy Director General for International Climate and Environmental Affairs, praised the Fund as “a transformative programme that exemplifies our commitment to accelerating the just energy transition in sub-Saharan Africa.”
