Africa Energy Innovation Competition
Theme: Accelerating Value Addition, Youth Innovation & Community Action.
(Open to young energy entrepreneurs across Nigeria and Africa)
About The Competition
The 11th Africa Energy Innovation Challenge (AEIC), organized by NEF, mobilizes young, early-stage energy entrepreneurs across Africa to develop, prototype and scale innovative devices, equipment and digital solutions for social enterprise, agribusiness, fintech and energy management using locally available resources. The Challenge connects young innovators to quality employment, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities, advancing Value Addition, Youth Innovation and Community Action across Africa.
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 & Green Jobs;
- Track 2: Energizing Agribusiness & Waste-2-Energy
- Track 3: Greening Local Manufacturing & Value Addition
- Track 4: Transforming AI & Connectivity.
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.
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
oung 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.
Submissions MUST be made online at www.thenef.org/aeic .
- Submissions MUST not exceed the word limit.
- Shortlisted submissions would be invited to participate in the final round by submitting on the AEIC webpage a 1-page poster to summarize their design, with detailed budget, 2-page Design Brief and a Short 2-minute video to pitch a prototype model of the proposed solution.
- Public vote on Video pitch will be held in Nov. 2026.
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 opportunities.
PRIZES AND 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.
Up to 20 or more shortlisted entries will be offered complimentary passes to fully participate in the 11th Nigeria Energy Forum to be held virtually on Thursday 19th November 2026. Winners of the competition get the opportunity to:
- Receive share of cash prize grants of up to US$10,000 to demonstrate or scale the proposed solution;
- Pitch their proposed prototype model at the 2026 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, industry mentorship & exhibitions valued at over US$15,000 and receive support from a venture incubator.
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 of the details provided in this document above the contest.