Deadline: June 17, 2026
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? Apply now for the Digital Energy Challenge Call for Projects 2026.
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)
Funding
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
Eligibility
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.
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.
Application
If applying to both categories, candidates must download, complete and submit a separate application for each category.
For more information, visit Digital Energy Challenge.
