Call for Expression of Interest – Investment funds investing in deforestation reduction businesses and projects in Central Africa – Junior capital deployment

Objectives

• Purpose: Deploy junior capital to for-profit impact investment funds that can scale deforestation-reduction investments in Central Africa and gener...
  

• Eligible applicants: Legally registered fund managers or investment vehicles applying as candidate funds; the fund must already have invested in businesses, ideally as an asset manager.
• Geographic and legal eligibility: Funds must demonstrate operational or governance presence in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or Central Africa through local staff, advisory partnerships or board representation. The exclusion list applies to the whole fund.
• Consortium arrangements: No joint venture or consortium rules are stated; the submission is made by the can...
  

Canopy Trust is launching a new Call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) to identify impact investment funds seeking catalytic capital to scale sustainable businesses and reduce deforestation across Central Africa.

Through this initiative, Canopy Trust intends to deploy up to USD 20 million in junior capital across up to four investment funds, with individual commitments ranging from USD 2 million to USD 10 million.

By providing concessional, risk-absorbing capital, Canopy Trust aims to unlock additional private investment in businesses that address key drivers of deforestation while generating positive environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

Geographical focus: Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon and Central African Republic.

Priority sectors: Sustainable agriculture and agroforestry, deforestation-free value chains, sustainable forestry, alternatives to wood-based cooking energy, and other businesses contributing to forest conservation.

We invite experienced and emerging fund managers with relevant investment strategies, strong regional engagement and credible investment pipelines to submit their expressions of interest.

Submission deadline: 11 December 2026, 23:59 CET
Submission: secretariat@catalyticfinance.org

Canopy Trust is implemented by Catalytic Finance Foundation (Catalytic), with the support of its funding partners.