Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator (ACRA)

The Africa Carbon Removal Accelerator (ACRA) supports carbon dioxide removal startups based in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is led by CDR-focused experts from remove, 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 builds deep knowledge of CDR and connects founders with technology and policy stakeholders, leading CDR buyers, verification bodies and fundraisers worldwide, while keeping the Sub-Saharan context in view. It is embedded in local research on the CDR pathways with the greatest sustainable-development potential for the region. It runs in English and is virtual by default, with occasional in-person events.

Cohort 2 ran from April to September 2026. Participants have worked on biochar, enhanced rock weathering, dMRV, blue carbon and DAC-to-concrete storage across countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, South Africa and Namibia. ACRA provides no funding to startups.

• Based in a Sub-Saharan African country (as defined by the World Bank).
• CDR is front and center of the company; emission reduction or avoidance businesses are not eligible (removal of other greenhouse gases is).
• Solutions grounded in science, not hype.
• Founders own, or will own, the majority of the company.
• Ready to commit to the program; stable internet, webcam and microphone for live sessions.

Apply through the ACRA website when a cohort is open. Applications for the 2026 cohort are closed; a register-your-interest form is open for future cohorts. No acceptance rate or deadline for a next cohort is published.

• Deep CDR knowledge from remove, ETH Zurich's sus.lab and Max Planck's Net Zero Lab.
• Connections to technology and policy stakeholders, CDR buyers, verification bodies and fundraisers.
• Access to recent research on CDR pathways suited to Sub-Saharan Africa.
• A globally connected CDR community.
• Occasional in-person events.

• Cohort 2: April to September 2026 (launched).
• 2026 applications are closed; register interest for future cohorts. No dates for a next cohort are published.

The site lists participants working on biochar (including coconut-husk and bagasse feedstocks), enhanced rock weathering in Ghana, DAC with storage in concrete in Kenya, dMRV and smallholder MRV (Zowasel), and blue-green carbon projects.