African Energy Entrepreneurship Awards 2026
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, a new generation of innovators is ready to shape the continent's energy future. With rising electricity demand and renewable energy offering a historic opportunity for industrial growth and climate resilience, the missing piece is rarely the idea, it's the funding and support to help bring it to life.
That's why Octopus Energy is continuing the African Energy Entrepreneurship Awards: to find and back the next wave of African energy leaders.
What the Awards aim to do
There is a critical need for reliable, clean energy infrastructure across Africa. This competition aims to be a cornerstone event for energy innovation on the continent. It will:
Drive innovation by accelerating early-stage energy businesses through non-dilutive grant funding
Increase visibility for winners, opening doors to follow-on funding opportunities across Octopus Energy's global network
Deliver structured mentorship and industry insights from experienced energy professionals
Create a vibrant ecosystem where collaboration and knowledge sharing drive the renewable energy sector forward.
We're particularly focused on businesses transforming power distribution, grid management, energy storage, and clean energy generation.
Who can enter
The Awards are open to technology-focused start-ups that meet the following criteria:
Based in Sub-Saharan Africa
No more than five years old
Ideally fewer than 20 full-time employees
The focus is on agile, early-stage dynamic businesses with real potential to scale.
How to apply
Entrants are invited to share the story of their business, highlighting the milestones achieved and what sets their company apart. Applications will be assessed across five areas:
What makes your business unique?
How will your solution improve access to clean, reliable energy?
Can your business feasibly expand to new towns, cities or countries?
What is the potential socio-economic impact of your business? How could it transform local economies?
Does your team have the leadership and technical depth to deliver on its mission?
Detailed responses to each area will strengthen your application and improve your chances of being selected.
Please see the full Terms and Conditions for detailed entry criteria.
What winners receive
Funding
A share of $100,000 USD in non-dilutive capital to accelerate product development and deployment.
Mentorship
Direct access to experienced energy professionals for strategic guidance and support.
Industry insights
Exposure to global trends, technologies and the regulatory landscape shaping the sector.
Visibility
Follow-on funding opportunities and introductions across Octopus Energy's network.
Results from 2025
Last year's cohort demonstrated the depth and quality of energy innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa, with applications from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Winner
Built Nigeria’s first Solar Irrigation Reservoir Project, integrating rainwater harvesting, boreholes and solar-powered pumps to bring year-round clean energy access to smallholder farmers. The project was subsequently nominated for the Earthshot Prize.
Runner up
This start-up secured $2.1 million in blended capital announced at COP30, with the project funding a 100-ton cold-chain expansion, smart irrigation across 50 hectares, and AI and blockchain-enabled food-chain digitisation.
Runner up
Collaborated with partners like So-Cool to transform mini-grid power delivery, introducing dynamic billing, and real-time performance monitoring, improving payment collection and building stronger community trust.
“With last year’s grant funding, we developed and piloted a first-of-its-kind solar irrigation reservoir in Giwa LGA in the Kaduna State in Nigeria. It enables smallholder farmers without access to surface water to irrigate their farms, grow food year-round, improving their productivity and livelihoods. The award has opened up new opportunities and networks, positioning us for greater impact and scale.”
Onimisi Charles Atere, Founder of Nimsy Agro Solar Concept. Winner of the 2025 African Entrepreneurship Awards.
“Tech and innovation are unlocking the benefits of clean energy for homes and businesses - and transforming communities across the continent. We’re proud to be supporting early-stage startups across Africa to scale up as they deliver meaningful change through energy. We can’t wait to see this year’s applicants and hope this award continues to provide a launchpad for trailblazers to take their ideas to the next level.”
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation
"I believe the future of energy in Africa will be built by Africans. Through this sponsorship, and our partnership with Octopus Energy, this initiative is about unlocking the talent, grit, and innovation of a new generation of builders who will drive true energy freedom across the continent."
Sandra Dozie, Founder and CEO, Salpha
