USADF and All On invite applicants to submit proposals for innovative off-grid solutions to “power up” underserved areas of Nigeria. Moreover, applicants should be developing, scaling up or extending energy technologies to off-grid areas of Nigeria. In addition, the Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a joint initiative of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On and is designed to achieve the following results:

• To increase electrical generation to unserved as well as underserved communities through sustainable business model solutions;
• Also, To expand electricity access – delivered through off-grid solutions such as home systems or micro-grids;
• To increase access to electricity for productive and/or household use – while this may include power to meet household consumer needs, emphasis is also given to the delivery of power to productive or commercial activities including agricultural production and processing, commercial enterprises, and others.

Benefits

The Off-Grid Energy Challenge awards grants of up to $100,000 each to African enterprises providing off-grid solutions that deploy renewable resources and power local economic activities. Furthermore, Challenge winners will have near-term solutions to power the needs of productive and commercial activities, including agriculture production and processing, off-farm businesses, and commercial enterprises.

Winning applicants will receive:

• An investment in the form of a convertible loan at an affordable interest rate and/or an equity investment
• Also, Seed capital in the form of grant funds
• Access to intensive local technical assistance and governance support

Eligibility

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Are 100% African-owned and passports showing citizenship are submitted;

1. All shareholders, members of the board and senior management must be citizens of a sub-Saharan African country as well as must reside in Nigeria;

• Also, Are majority Nigerian-owned and -managed (senior managers);
• Express clearly how they will benefit marginalized, grassroots people in Nigeria, including also ideally showing demonstrable positive impacts for female beneficiaries as well as people living in the Niger Delta;
• Also, Express clearly how they will achieve profitability;
• Are fully and legally registered in Nigeria and the registration is submitted;
• Also, Document adequate expertise in the field they are proposing or document how they will acquire the necessary expertise;
• They plainly document how they will use the USADF/All On investment funds to carry out their concept.