Deadline: 31-May-2026
The Future of Energy Conference (FEC) Innovation Challenge is inviting young African innovators to submit solutions that can transform Africa’s energy future through low-carbon technologies, clean energy systems, and sustainable innovation. The challenge supports innovative ideas that address Africa’s energy access, efficiency, and climate resilience needs.
The initiative provides young innovators with opportunities for mentorship, incubation, networking, research support, and exposure to investors, industry experts, and policymakers at FEC 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
Program Objectives
The Innovation Challenge aims to:
- Support youth-led energy innovation in Africa
- Promote low-carbon and sustainable energy solutions
- Encourage clean technology development and energy efficiency
- Strengthen African innovation ecosystems
- Advance battery technology and circular economy solutions
- Build collaboration between innovators, institutions, and industry stakeholders
Focus Areas
Supported innovations may include:
- Sustainable energy access solutions
- Clean cooking technologies
- Cost-reduction and energy efficiency innovations
- Distributed and digital energy systems
- Industrial energy solutions
- Circular economy and resource efficiency initiatives
- Lithium-ion battery design and engineering
- Battery applications for mobility and energy storage
- Technology adaptation and re-engineering
- Battery value chain development
- Circularity and lifecycle management systems
Projects should address real energy challenges affecting African communities and industries.
Innovation Challenge Tracks
Pan-African Low Carbon Innovation Track
This track supports practical and disruptive low-carbon innovations relevant to African energy systems.
Focus areas include:
- Power systems innovation
- Industrial energy solutions
- Digital energy technologies
- Circular economy initiatives
- Climate-smart energy solutions
Afro-Hackathon Track
The Afro-Hackathon Track focuses on lithium-ion battery innovation and value addition across Africa.
This track encourages:
- Battery technology development
- Research collaboration
- Innovation hub partnerships
- Sustainable battery systems
- Energy storage solutions
Benefits for Selected Participants
Successful applicants will receive:
- Exposure to more than 1,000 participants at FEC 2026
- Mentorship opportunities
- Incubation and innovation support
- Networking with industry experts and institutions
- Access to ACEP’s Climate Innovation Hub
- Cash prizes for research, development, and prototyping support
Participants will retain full intellectual property rights over their innovations.
Funding Information
- Cash prizes will be awarded to winners
- Funding supports research, development, and prototype advancement
- Exact funding amounts have not been specified by the organisers
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be African nationals
- Be between 15 and 35 years old
- Be based in Africa or part of the African diaspora
- Develop innovations addressing African energy challenges
Team Applications
- Team applications are allowed
- Only one team representative will receive support to attend the final event in Accra, Ghana
Why This Challenge Matters
The initiative helps:
- Accelerate youth-led clean energy innovation
- Promote sustainable development and climate action in Africa
- Strengthen local technology and battery ecosystems
- Improve energy access and efficiency solutions
- Encourage entrepreneurship and research collaboration
- Build future-ready African energy systems
How to Apply
- Develop an innovative solution addressing African energy challenges
- Choose the most suitable challenge track
- Prepare a clear description of the innovation and its impact
- Explain the technology, scalability, and sustainability potential
- Highlight how the solution supports low-carbon development or energy access
- Submit the application according to FEC Innovation Challenge guidelines before the deadline
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are likely to be assessed based on:
- Innovation and originality
- Relevance to African energy challenges
- Scalability and practical impact
- Sustainability and climate benefits
- Technical feasibility
- Potential for market or community adoption
Tips for Strong Applications
- Clearly explain the problem your innovation solves
- Demonstrate measurable social or environmental impact
- Highlight technical innovation and feasibility
- Show scalability across African markets or communities
- Include prototype, research, or testing progress where available
- Emphasize sustainability and long-term value
FAQ
Who can apply for the Innovation Challenge?
African nationals aged 15–35 years living in Africa or the diaspora are eligible.
What types of innovations are supported?
The challenge supports low-carbon energy, clean cooking, battery innovation, energy efficiency, digital energy systems, and circular economy solutions.
Are team applications allowed?
Yes, teams can apply, but only one representative per team will receive travel support to attend the final event.
What benefits do selected innovators receive?
Participants gain mentorship, incubation support, networking opportunities, exposure at FEC 2026, and cash prize opportunities.
Will innovators keep ownership of their ideas?
Yes, participants retain full intellectual property rights over their innovations.
Where will the final event take place?
The final event will take place in Accra, Ghana.
Conclusion
The Future of Energy Conference Innovation Challenge provides a major platform for young African innovators developing sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions. Through mentorship, visibility, incubation, and innovation support, the initiative helps accelerate technologies and ideas that can contribute to Africa’s clean energy transition and long-term energy resilience.
For more information, visit Africa Centre for Energy Policy.