UNIDO announces second cohort of demonstration projects under the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility

Vienna, Austria, 25 February 2026 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the Government of United Kingdom (UK), has announced the second cohort of demonstration projects to be supported under the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility, following the second call for proposals. Four new transformational projects will advance inclusive and sustainable industrial development in developing countries.

With initial funding from the Government of United Kingdom, the A2D Facility accelerates the commercialization of innovative climate solutions through the implementation of demonstration projects with strong potential to generate “lighthouse” effects in the countries of implementation. 

The four new projects, to be implemented in Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa, will build on the A2D Facility’s first cohort of five projects announced a year ago, which are currently under implementation in Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Thanking the Government of United Kingdom for their support, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller said: “The A2D programme helps bringing innovative climate solutions to life, it helps driving a green and inclusive transition worldwide. Dear Ambassador Skoll, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to you personally, for your commitment and our strong collaboration over the last years. I am very grateful to you and the Government of the United Kingdom for your great support with this Facility.”

Lindsay Samantha Skoll, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations, welcomed the strong progress of the A2D Facility in its first cohort of demonstration projects. 

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Skoll said: “The new UK-funded projects demonstrate the power of strong multilateral partnerships to accelerate clean industrial transitions, foster innovation, and deliver tangible climate and development results in these partner countries. The UK looks forward to further building through these on the excellent partnership with UNIDO to date.”

Advancing climate solutions across four countries

The four newly selected projects demonstrate scalable pathways to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen local value chains, promote gender equality and social inclusion, create jobs and expand long term economic opportunities.

• Kenya: The project demonstrates an innovative renewable powered hydrogen solution to produce sustainable fertilizer for coffee farming and medical oxygen for local hospitals. It will generate 56.8 tons of green ammonia and 56.4 million liters of oxygen per year, strengthening food security, rural livelihoods and healthcare access.
• Namibia: The project demonstrates low carbon processing of rare earth minerals essential for clean technologies. By cutting 3,732 tons of CO₂ per year, the initiative strengthens domestic mineral value chains while supporting women’s participation in new industrial roles.
• Nigeria: The project demonstrates the recycling of around 5,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries per year using innovative solutions that recover valuable minerals and create nearly 100 new jobs. It advances circular economy approaches and supports the growth of domestic green industries.
• South Africa: The project demonstrates the replacement of coal based industrial heat with clean steam solutions, reducing 2,700 tons of CO₂ annually. It shows how industries can grow through decarbonization while expanding inclusive employment opportunities.

Ambassadors and representatives from the four participating countries highlighted the strategic importance of the projects in strengthening resilient, secure and competitive industries and advancing sustainable and inclusive industrial development at national level. DG Müller: “These projects — in Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa, will help build competitive and sustainable industries, create quality jobs and contribute to climate transitions.”

Strengthening standards for inclusive and responsible investment

The announcement also marked the publication of two best practice frameworks developed under the A2D Facility: the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Framework and the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). The frameworks provide practical guidance to ensure that projects are designed and implemented with high ambition on gender equality, social inclusion and environmental and social safeguards.

 The A2D Facility unlocks scalable and replicable solutions, strengthening local industries and partnerships, and accelerates the transition toward inclusive, resilient and low-carbon industrial development, in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050.

Further information about the A2D Facility can be found below:

A2D Facility website

A2D Facility LinkedIn

Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility | UNIDO

 A2D Facility press releases: UNIDO and UK hold accelerate demonstrate A2D facility event first call proposals together chair regional groups

A2D Facility press releases: UK, UNIDO launch ambitious programme accelerate clean energy innovation developing countries

For more information, please contact:

Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility

A2DFacility@unido.org

Full article: https://www.unido.org/news/unido-announces-second-cohort-demonstration-projects-under-accelerate-demonstrate-a2d-facility