Eligible African businesses and projects can apply for free support to prepare for finance, with assessments and tailored roadmaps available to successful applicants.
The Commonwealth Investment Network (CIN) is accepting applications from climate-positive businesses and projects across the Commonwealth, offering support intended to help them prepare for finance and engage more effectively with potential funders.
For African entrepreneurs, the opportunity is investment-readiness support rather than a funding award. Successful applicants can receive an assessment and tailored roadmap, while targeted mentorship is directed towards businesses and projects further along their investment journey.
Anthony Moorhouse, co-founder of Earth Collective, which provides the programme’s digital platform, confirmed to AfricaBusiness.com that applications are open to businesses and projects in all 21 African Commonwealth member countries.
Who can apply?
The published eligibility guidance identifies three main conditions. Applicants should have a positive climate impact; be revenue-generating small or medium-sized enterprises, or projects that are operational or in development; and plan to raise finance now or in the near future.
The climate criterion also includes established businesses adapting their operations, products or technologies towards climate goals. The opportunity therefore extends beyond newly created climate ventures.
The programme accommodates different financing needs, including equity, debt, grants and other forms of funding. Applicants should distinguish the finance they are seeking from the preparation support offered by CIN.
Fii’s published guidance: https://www.fii.international/news/commonwealth-investment-network-applications-2026
What successful applicants receive
Support includes an investment-readiness assessment and a roadmap identifying areas requiring further work. Practical resources cover subjects such as financial modelling, governance, growth strategy and pitch preparation.
Participants can also access peer learning through the CIN community. Targeted mentorship and opportunities for investor visibility depend on how far a business or project has progressed towards readiness.
Moorhouse clarified that the diagnostic and roadmap are provided to successful applicants, clarifying the original release’s broader wording that suggested every applicant would receive them.
He said the programme is intended to be broadly accessible, with prioritisation towards organisations and projects closer to investment readiness. Those needing further preparation can use self-service resources to improve their readiness over time.
Selection should therefore be distinguished from the allocation of more intensive support: being accepted does not mean every participant receives the same level of mentorship or investor exposure.
Free participation, without a funding guarantee
Moorhouse confirmed that participation within the CIN programme involves no fees, equity requirements or fundraising commissions.
This does not constitute a commitment by an investor or lender to provide capital. Any subsequent financing would require a separate assessment and agreement with the relevant funding provider.
For businesses considering an application, the practical value is an opportunity to identify preparation gaps before approaching funders. An assessment or introduction should not be presented as investment approval.
How applications work
Applications are rolling. The Commonwealth Secretariat’s published guidance states that there is no closing date and that completing the application takes approximately 15–20 minutes, with the option to save progress and return later.
Moorhouse described the assessment process as becoming ongoing after its initial review stage. A fixed turnaround time has not been confirmed, so applicants should not assume that submitting a form will produce an immediate assessment or decision.
The application route supplied by Earth Collective is: https://www.earthcollective.io/cin
Programme questions can be directed to: CIN@fii.international
From a small-island pilot to broader access
CIN was launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024. Its initial work focused on climate-vulnerable markets, including Small Island Developing States.
According to the programme’s announcement, its first accelerator cohort supported seven businesses from Pacific and Caribbean small-island states. The expanded model is intended to make investment-readiness resources available more widely across Commonwealth markets.
The current phase is led by Financial Innovation for Impact in partnership with the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance at Cambridge Judge Business School, with support from the UK Government and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Earth Collective supplies the digital platform used for applications and readiness support.
For eligible African businesses, the immediate opportunity is to strengthen the information, financial preparation and governance needed for funding discussions. Whether that preparation leads to finance will depend on the business, its requirements and the decisions of potential funders.
Further programme information: https://thecommonwealth.org/CIN