NEF2025 Africa Energy Innovation Challenge

10th AFRICA ENERGY INNOVATION COMPETITION

Theme: Transforming Energy Transition, Youth Employment & Local Manufacturing. (Open to young energy entrepreneurs across Nigeria and Africa)

About the Competition

The 10th Africa Energy Innovation Challenge AEIC organized by NEF mobilizes early-stage young energy entrepreneurs across Africa to develop a prototype/upscale a key device/equipment for social enterprise, agri-business, fintech solutions or energy management system using local resources. The 10th AEIC links young persons to quality employment or entrepreneurship opportunities, and is focused on advancing Energy Transition, Job Creation and Youth Employment initiatives.

FOUR (4) INNOVATION TRACK(S)
Proposals are invited across four innovation tracks for early-stage energy entrepreneurs from
Africa, including:

Track 1: Powering Youth Employment & Jobs Creation;
Track 2: Energizing Agribusiness & Social Development
Track 3: Greening Local Manufacturing & Value Addition
Track 4: CNG for Transport & Electrified Mobility

Eligibility & How to Apply

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. Team composition MUST reflect gender balance, (comprising at least 1 woman and 1 man). Teams may be formed across different schools, institutions, companies, countries etc. Individuals or teams may submit multiple applications.

Guidelines

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)

Prizes & Recognitions

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 2025. Winners of the competition get the opportunity to:

Receive cash prize grants of up to USD10,000 to demonstrate or scale the proposed solution;
Pitch their proposed prototype model at the 2025 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.

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.
Youth Employment: ideas must link young people to quality employment or entrepreneurship opportunity.

Past Winners Product Exhibition

At the NEF25 DAY 1 held in Lagos

08 July 2025

Lagos, Nigeria

Open Call for Proposals

15 August 2025

Proposal submission deadline

15 September 2025

Shortlist for final round

15 October 2025

Deadline for final submissions

30 October 2025

Video-pitch, Posters & Awards

20 November 2025

Round 2 is 70% of cumulative grade and guidelines are shown below:

1. Submission of a 1-page Poster to summarize the project using attached template.

a) Posters must not exceed 1-Page and are expected to briefly describe the proposed solution, technical design, cost-benefit/economic feasibility, timescales for developing prototype/trial, proposed business model, and target users/market.

b) Posters must include photos for visual illustration of concept, design or implementation aspects.

c) Posters must be uploaded as a pdf document by 31st October 2025 using google form to be provided, and these will be assessed by the independent panel of judges.

2. Submission of Top-quality 60-seconds (i.e. 1-minute) Video to pitch a prototype model of the proposed solution by 31st October 2025.

a) Videos must not exceed 60-seconds and are expected to use creative, catchy, and captivating approaches for communicating the project ideas to a wider audience.

b) Video quality must be high-quality with proper lighting, clear objects & graphics

c) Videos must be uploaded in google drive, and the link must be made accessible for all and submitted on the google form shown below.

Round 3 is 30% of cumulative grade and Public Vote Process:

The Top 10 Team Videos from Round 2, will participate in a Public Vote process. Each 1-minute video will be published on NEF Social Media pages (Youtube, Facebook & IG).

a) The Top 10 Teams MUST promote and share their 1-minute videos to a global audience and network from 10th-17th November 2025.

b) The Public Vote will be scored based on total number of Registered Voters. All Voters MUST: (i) FIRST register to attend Finals and Vote on a Voting Link to be provided by organizers (60%); (ii) Subscribe/Follow NEF Social Media Channels to View, Like & Share the Videos (40%).

c) Special Prize will be awarded to the Public Vote winner during finals on 20th Nov. 2025

Also, the Top 30 Teams and All Registered Voters will be offered complimentary access to participate in NEF2025 Day 2 & AEIC finals and awards virtual event on Thursday 20th Nov. 2025 from 12.30 to 5pm WAT.

Please Note!!!

Organizers reserve the right to fully adjust/modify any ofthe details provided in this document above the contest.

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