Deadline: 15-Sep-2025
The 10th Africa Energy Innovation Challenge AEIC organized by NEF mobilizes early-stage young energy entrepreneurs across Africa to develop a prototype/upscale a key device/equipment for social enterprise, agri-business, fintech solutions or energy management system using local resources.
Theme: Transforming Energy Transition, Youth Employment & Local Manufacturing.
The 10th AEIC links young persons to quality employment or entrepreneurship opportunities, and is focused on advancing Energy Transition, Job Creation and Youth Employment initiatives. The challenge invites proposals across four innovation tracks for early-stage energy entrepreneurs from Africa, which are: Powering Youth Employment & Jobs Creation; Energizing Agribusiness & Social Development; Greening Local Manufacturing & Value Addition; and CNG for Transport & Electrified Mobility.
Winners of the competition receive cash prize grants of up to USD10,000 to demonstrate or scale the proposed solution. They will also pitch their proposed prototype model at the 2025 Nigeria Energy Forum using a poster and short video. Winners will benefit from unique networking opportunities with other young professionals and senior decision-makers in government, international development, academia, and the private sector, and will attend business development workshops and receive support from a dedicated start-up incubator.
Young professionals from Africa between the ages of 18 and 35 are invited to participate across any of the four innovation tracks. Applications may be submitted by a team of at least three people. The team composition must reflect gender balance, comprising at least one woman and one man. Teams may be formed across different schools, institutions, companies, and countries. Individuals or teams may submit multiple applications.
The proposed prototype model submission must not exceed one side of an A4 page and should include a project title, innovation track, a short abstract, design tools and method, problem statement, and estimated costs and timeline. The finalists and winners will be selected by an independent panel of industry experts and experienced development professionals from public and private sector institutions. It is anticipated that at least one winner per track will be awarded grant prizes with up to 20 shortlisted entries offered complimentary passes to fully participate in the 2025 event.
The first round of submissions for the competition will be judged on four key attributes. Local Content” assesses whether the solution utilizes local resources and expertise, provides alternative energy services, or offers efficient solutions for sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, and industry, while also demonstrating a significant impact on a large number of people, households, or businesses. Originality and creativity” looks for solutions that are new and inventive, particularly in areas that are either underdeveloped or severely underdeveloped in current research. “Commercial Viability” evaluates if the proposed prototype is realistic, practical, and cost-efficient, and if it outlines clear commercial plans to overcome potential obstacles. Finally, “Youth Employment” checks if the ideas directly connect young people to quality job or entrepreneurship opportunities.
For more information, visit NEF.
