Digital Energy Challenge 2026: Up to €400,000 for Digital and AI-Powered Energy Solutions in Africa

Applications are now open for the Digital Energy Challenge 2026, an international innovation programme supporting SMEs developing digital and AI-enabled solutions that improve energy access, accelerate the energy transition, and enhance the operational efficiency of energy utilities across Africa.

The initiative is supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and partners and aims to help innovative companies scale proven digital technologies that address some of Africa's most pressing energy challenges.

For the 2026 edition, applicants can apply under two funding tracks:

1. Tech Accelerator

Supporting innovative digital energy projects implemented in eligible African countries.

2. Partnership Challenge

Supporting collaborative projects developed and implemented in Nigeria in partnership with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

The programme focuses on supporting market-ready innovations that can be tested, deployed, and scaled within African energy systems while generating measurable impact.

Funding Available

A total budget of approximately €827,000 is available.

Tech Accelerator Category

• Grant funding of up to €150,000 per project

Partnership Challenge Category

• Grant funding of up to €400,000 per project

In addition to funding, selected companies receive:

• Technical and project management support
• Participation in a dedicated innovation bootcamp
• Access to African energy utilities
• Mentorship and expert guidance
• Visibility through AFD communication channels
• Access to the Digital Energy Community
• Networking and collaboration opportunities

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• Technology startups
• Energy technology companies
• Software developers
• AI and data solution providers
• Digital innovation companies

Applicants may be based anywhere in the world.

However, African companies are strongly encouraged to apply and may receive favourable consideration during evaluation.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Employ fewer than 250 employees
• Have annual turnover below €50 million
• Be an independent company
• Demonstrate a strong research and development (R&D) component
• Have no conflict of interest with AEDC
• Be able to implement the project within 12 months

Projects must:

• Be digital by nature
• Demonstrate innovation
• Include a clear R&D component
• Address one of the challenge themes
• Be beyond the ideation stage
• Already have some level of pilot validation
• Not depend on regulatory changes for implementation

Challenge Themes

Projects must address one of the following priority areas:

Product 1: Grid Planning and Investment Optimization

Solutions that improve utility planning, investment decisions, forecasting, and grid expansion.

Product 2: Microgrid and Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Management Platform

Solutions supporting integration and management of mini-grids, distributed energy resources, and decentralized energy systems.

Product 3: Data Platform and Integrated Network Visibility

Solutions that improve operational visibility, asset management, network monitoring, and utility performance through digital technologies.

For the Partnership category, proposals covering multiple products are encouraged.

For the Tech Accelerator category, applicants must focus on one product area.

Eligible Countries

Tech Accelerator Category

Projects may be implemented in any of the following 51 African 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
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Senegal
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Partnership Category

Projects must be implemented in:

• Nigeria (with AEDC)

Why Nigeria is a Strategic Focus

The Partnership Challenge focuses specifically on Nigeria because:

• Approximately 90 million people lack reliable electricity access
• The country offers a large-scale testing environment
• Successful solutions can demonstrate strong scalability
• Innovations developed in Nigeria can be replicated across other African markets

Programme Benefits

Selected companies will receive:

Grant funding

Access to African utility partners

Technical mentorship

Project management support

Investor and ecosystem exposure

Participation in innovation bootcamps

Networking with energy sector stakeholders

Access to the Digital Energy Community

Increased visibility through international communications campaigns

Important Dates

• Call Opens: 20 April 2026
• Information Webinar: 5 May 2026
• Application Deadline: 17 June 2026 (23:59 CET)
• Selection Results: Autumn 2026
• Bootcamp Programme: Autumn 2026

Click HERE to visit the official website.