The SAGFA Fellowship: Applications Now Open
- Omran Aburayya
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
If you are a mid- to senior-level professional across Africa passionate about climate resilience, green finance, or sustainable industrial development, the (Sino-Africa Green Finance Alliance Fellowship) SAGFA offers a timely, powerful opportunity. Led by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA), supported by the African Climate Foundation (ACF), this virtual fellowship seeks to build Africa’s next generation of green finance leaders. The application period is open now, with the program delivered fully online in its pilot phase—making it accessible from anywhere in Africa. Here's everything you need to know.
🌎 Fellowship Summary
Name: SAGFA Fellowship (Sino-Africa Green Finance Alliance Fellowship)
Location: Virtual (online); Africa-based participants
Organizer: Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA), with support from the African Climate Foundation (ACF)
Program type: Fellowship / Professional Development; targets mid- to senior-level professionals, researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, etc.
Target group:
Government policymakers
Researchers, think-tank professionals
Development practitioners and advisors
Private sector actors in energy, manufacturing, agro-processing
Financial regulators and institutional investors
Fields of focus: Green finance policy, climate resilient development, Africa-China cooperation, sustainable industrialization, policy frameworks, implementation tools/instruments.
Duration: 6 weeks, delivered entirely online in the pilot phase.
Coverage: Fully virtual & Free Participation
Application deadline: October 22, 2025
📚 Fellowship Overview
The SAGFA Fellowship is a six-week virtual leadership and capacity-building program. It is designed to equip participants with advanced technical knowledge, tools, and frameworks in green finance that are adapted to African policy contexts. The fellowship uses structured online learning modules, case-based engagements (including Africa-China cooperation examples), interactive sessions with experts, and a capstone project tied to real-world climate finance or sustainable industrialization challenges in the participants’ home countries/sectors. Because it's fully virtual for this pilot edition, participants are expected to commit to live / synchronous sessions, readings, group work, and peer learning from wherever they are.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Knowledge & Skills: Deepened technical understanding of green finance policy tools, climate resilient development strategies, and globally informed best practices tailored to Africa.
Networking: Connections with experts and peers across Africa and China, fostering collaboration and learning.
Real-World Impact: Opportunity to design capstone (or equivalent) projects that address actual challenges. Potential to influence policy or institutional practice.
Accessibility / Flexibility: The virtual format means no travel needed, lower cost of participation, more inclusive.
Credential & Recognition: Certificate of completion; visibility through ACCPA / SAGFA platforms.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, you should:
Be based in Africa or working on Africa-focused green finance, climate, industrial development issues.
Be in a mid- to senior-level professional role (or demonstrating significant experience), including public sector, private sector, finance, research.
Demonstrate a commitment to apply what is learned in your current role or institution.
Be able to commit the time required for six weeks of virtual learning (including potentially live sessions).
No strict requirement for prior expertise in green finance or Africa-China relations is enforced, though relevant experience is advantageous.
📝 Application Procedure
How to apply: Through the official ACCPA or SAGFA portal. There is an online registration form.
Selection process: Competitive; applicants assessed based on professional background, clarity of motivation, relevance of work to green finance / sustainability / Africa-China cooperation, potential for impact.