Bring your innovation to scale across Africa
Do you have a cutting-edge digital product or service that can increase energy access, accelerate the energy transition, or improve the operational efficiency of energy utilities in Africa?
The 2026 Digital Energy Challenge Call for Projects invites innovative SMEs to apply in one or both of the following categories
- Tech Accelerator for innovative digital projects in one of the 51 specified countries in Africa
- Partnership for a collaborative project in Nigeria, developed with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC)
Nigeria represents one of the most demanding and impactful environments for energy innovation. With around 90 million lacking reliable electricity, it offers a unique opportunity to:
- Test solutions in real-world conditions
- Demonstrate scalability and resilience
- Develop innovations with strong R&D value
- Create models replicable across other countries in Africa.
A total budget of €827K will be allocated to selected projects to develop, test and implement innovative digital and AI-enabled solutions.
Winners benefit from:
- Grants to contribute to costs for equipment, software, products or services and training, as well as expert support for project management.
- Up to €400K (Partnership)
- Up to €150K (Tech Accelerator)
- Expert support and bootcamp for hand-on guidance, sector insights and collaboration opportunities between project winners and African utilities
- Visibility and networking through communication campaigns piloted by AFD and access to the Digital Energy Community
20th April 2026
Call for projects opens:
5th May 2026
Information webinar
17th June 2026 – 23:59 CET
Deadline for submission of applications
Autumn 2026
Selection results and bootcamp
The themes of the two categories are structured around three priority areas that represent common challenges for AEDC and several African utilities: optimizing planning and investments, integrating data from mini-grids, and improving network operations. In this context, the selected themes are:
- Product 1: Grid Planning and Investment Optimization
- Product 2: Microgrid and DER Management Platform
- Product 3: Data Platform and Integrated Network Visibility
For the Partnership category, applicants are invited to submit proposals covering one or several products. However, preference will be given to proposals that cover all products.
For the Tech Accelerator category, applicants are required to submit a proposal covering one product only.
For a detailed description of each theme, please see the Challenge Rules in the Application Pack.
Who can apply ?
The 2026 Call for Projects is open to innovative SMEs that:
- Employ fewer than 250 people and have a turnover of less than €50M
- Are independent (ownership criteria apply)*
- Have a strong R&D component*
- Have no conflict of interest with AEDC
While companies from around the world are invited to apply, proposals from local African companies are strongly encouraged and will receive favourable consideration.
* Please consult the Challenge Rules for full definitions and applicable conditions
Projects must:
- Be digital by nature (software, data, telecom, cloud-based technology etc.)
- Demonstrate innovation (new or adapted to local context)
- Include a clear R&D dimension
- Address the 2026 thematic priorities
- Be beyond ideation stage (already piloted)
- Be implementable within 12 months
- Not depend on regulatory changes
Additional criteria:
- Tech Accelerator: the project must take place in an eligible African country (see list below).
- Partnership: the project must take place in Nigeria with AEDC
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
The Digital Energy Challenge Call for Projects 2026 supports projects in the following countries:
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
If applying to both categories, candidates must download, complete and submit a separate application for each category.
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Download the appropriate category application pack
Email address required
Download Partnership application pack
Download Tech Accelerator application pack
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Join the information webinar on 5th May 2026 at 11:00 CET.
The webinar will be recorded.
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Complete the application form and prepare the required documents
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Submit your project by 17th June 2026 – 23:59 CET
Submit application for Partnership Challenge
