The Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF) is inviting applications from young entrepreneurs across Africa for the 9th NEF Africa Energy Innovation Challenge 2024. Candidates within the ages of 18 and 35 years from Africa are invited to participate.
The 9th Africa Energy Innovation Challenge organized by NEF challenges youth-led early-stage energy entrepreneurs across Africa to collaborate with local research institutions or industries to develop a prototype model of a key device/equipment for a social energy enterprise, agri-business, fintech solutions or energy management system using local resources.
SUMMARY
- Program Sponsor: Nigeria Energy Forum
- Host Institution: Energy Institutions in Africa
- Funding Amount: $10,000
- Target: Early-career Stage
- Nationality: Africans
The Program Structure
NEF invites proposals across four innovation tracks for early-stage energy entrepreneurs from Africa, including:
- Powering Agribusiness/Agro-industry
- Energizing Healthcare & Social Development
- Clean Energy for Local Manufacturing
- Sustainable Energy for Solid Minerals Processing
Eligibility Criteria | NEF Africa Energy Innovation Challenge 2024
Applicants for the 9th NEF 2024 Africa Energy Innovation Challenge are required to meet the following criteria:
- Must be young professionals aged 18 to 35 from Africa.
- Applications can be submitted by a team of at least three people.
- At least one team member must be from a local research institution or industry.
- Teams may include members from different schools, institutions, companies, or countries.
Evaluation Criteria
The first round of submissions will be evaluated using the following attributes:
- Local Content: utilize local resources, demonstrate the use of local expertise, alternative energy services or efficient solutions for powering agriculture,
- Education, healthcare, industries etc.; and be significant enough for large impact.
- Originality and creativity: present solutions that are original, and creative in areas that are either underdeveloped or severely underdeveloped in research and literature.
- Commercial Viability: The proposed prototype model should be realistic, and practical rather than just theory, cost-efficient and outline commercial arrangements that address obvious roadblocks.
- Clarity: ideas should be presented clearly and concisely with a realistic completion timeline.
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 2024. 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 2024 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.
How are Applicants Selected?
The first round of submissions will be evaluated using the following attributes:
Local Content: utilize local resources, demonstrate the 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, and creative in areas that are either underdeveloped or severely underdeveloped in research and literature.
Commercial Viability: The proposed prototype model should be realistic, and practical rather than just theory, cost-efficient and outline commercial arrangements that address obvious roadblocks, using a specific prototype model.
Clarity: ideas should be presented clearly and concisely with a realistic completion timeline.
Application Procedure
How-to-Apply: Interested and eligible applicants are required to fill out and submit their application online via www.thenef.org/aeic. Additionally, note that;
- Gmail Account MUST be used for upload on the online form; and email evidence of submission in Microsoft Word or PDF format by email to info@thenef.org.
- The Subject lineof the email should follow the format: [Country] Title of the Project,
- Submissions that exceed the page/word limit may be disqualified.
- Shortlisted submissions would be invited to participate in the final round by submitting a1-page poster to summarize their design, with a detailed budget, a 2-page Design Brief and a Short 2-minute video to pitch a prototype model of the proposed solution.