NEF Africa Energy Innovation Challenge 2024 ($10,000 prize)

The 9th Africa Energy Innovation Challenge organized by Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF) challenges youth-led early-stage energy entrepreneurs across Africa to collaborate with local research institutions or industries to develop a prototype model of a key device/equipment for a social energy enterprise, agri-business, fintech solutions or energy management system using local resources.

Proposals are invited across four innovation tracks for early-stage energy entrepreneurs from Africa, including:

• Track 1: Powering Agribusiness/Agro-industry
• Track 2: Energizing Healthcare & Social Development
• Track 3: Clean Energy for Local Manufacturing
• Track 4: Sustainable Energy for Solid Minerals Processing

Prizes of Energy Innovation Challenge

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 1 winner per track will be awarded grant prizes with up to 20 shortlisted entries offered complimentary passes to fully participate in the 2024. Winners of the competition get the opportunity to:

• Receive cash prize grants of up to USD $10,000 to demonstrate or scale the proposed solution;
• Pitch their proposed prototype model at the 2024 Nigeria Energy Forum, using a poster and short video;
• Benefit from unique networking opportunities with other young professionals as well as some of the most senior decision-makers in government, international development, academia, and the private sector; &
• Attend business development workshops, and receive support from a dedicated start-up incubator.

Check : Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award 2024 (up to R2.5 million)

Eligibility for Energy Innovation Challenge

• Young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 years from Africa are invited to participate in the competition across any of the four (4) innovation tracks above.
• Applications may be submitted by a team of at least three people.
• At least 1 member of the team must be from the local research institution or industry.
• Teams may be formed across different schools, institutions, companies, countries etc. Individuals or teams may submit multiple applications.

Evaluation Criteria

The first round of submissions will be evaluated using the following attributes:

• Local Content: utilize local resources, demonstrate use of local expertise, alternative energy services or efficient solutions for powering agriculture, education, healthcare, industries etc.; and be significant enough to impact large numbers of people, households and/or businesses.
• Originality and creativity: present solutions that are original, creative in areas that are either underdeveloped or severely underdeveloped in research and literature.
• Commercial Viability: proposed prototype model should be realistic, practical rather than just theory, cost efficient and outline commercial arrangements that address obvious roadblocks, using a specific prototype model.
• Clarity: ideas should be presented in a clear and concise manner with realistic completion timeline.

Also Check : AAUW Career Development Grants 2025 (Funding available)

Application

Your proposed prototype model submission must not exceed 1- side of an A4 page and should include the following:

• Project Title Your solution (250 words)
• Innovation Track Expected impact (50 words)
• Short abstract (50 words)
• Design tools and method (50 words)
• Problem Statement (50 words)
• Estimated costs and timeline (50 words)

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