Digital Energy Challenge – Call for Projects 2026

Digital revolution is key to tackle energy access issues in developing countries

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The Digital Energy Challenge: driving digital innovation for energy in Africa

The Digital Energy Challenge supports the development of innovative digital solutions that expand access to energy, facilitate the integration of renewable energy, and enhance the performance of energy operators across Africa.

Launched in 2021 by the Agence française de développement (AFD) and co-funded by the European Union through its Global Gateway initiative and the Digital for Development Hub (D4D Hub), the Challenge has supported 47 projects across the African continent. These projects led by start-ups, technology providers and energy operators, apply digital technologies to concrete use cases such as energy planning, network management, mini-grids, renewable energy integration, operational performance and rural electrification.

The digital revolution is key to tackling energy access issues in developing countries. In Africa alone, 600 million people, 1 out of 2 people in sub-Saharan Africa, do not have access to electricity. Innovative technologies and new business models are making significant progress in energy access with on-grid and off-grid solutions in urban and rural areas.

Contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, the AFD implemented the Digital Energy Facility, a program co-financed by the European Union, with the participation of ADEME, to support the digitization and modernization of the energy sector.

2026 Challenge: categories and theme

The 2026 Call for Projects focuses on three priority areas: optimizing planning and investments, integrating mini-grid data, and improving network operations. The Challenge is structured around two complementary categories, in line with this year’s themes:

Tech Accelerator supporting high-potential digital innovation projects across any of the 51 specified countries in Africa
Partnership supporting a flagship collaborative project in Nigeria, led by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in partnership with an innovative SME

Nigeria: a real-world innovation lab

With over 200 million inhabitants and around 90 million people still lacking access to electricity, Nigeria faces one of the largest energy access gaps in the world. This context, combined with the rapid growth of mini-grids and off-grid solar, creates a unique environment to test, refine and scale digital solutions in conditions that reflect real operational challenges across other countries in Africa.

Key dates

  • 20th April 2026: Call for projects opens
  • 5th May 2026: Information webinar
  • 17th June 2026 – 23:59 CET: Deadline for submission of applications
  • Autumn 2026: Selection results and bootcamp

Overview

13
Closes June 17, 2026
Organizer AFD
Website Visit website
Targets Nigeria
Sectors
Biofuels, Biomass, Clean technology and energy, Environmental services, Renewable energy, Solar power, Wind power
SDG (3)
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12. Responsible Consumption and Production, 7. Affordable and Clean Energy
Partner Organization AFD image of AFD Logo
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Benefits for challenge winners

Selected projects, one Partnership project and three to four Tech Accelerator projects, will benefit from:

  • Financial support to implement the solutions
  • Technical guidance including an expert-led bootcamp
  • High visibility within the Digital Energy ecosystem

Additional benefits:

  • Tech Accelerator: support throughout the project implementation
  • Partnership: in-depth financial and strategic support

Interested in applying?

Find full details on eligibility, themes and funding.

Project eligibility

Projects must:

  1. Be digital by nature (software, data, telecom, cloud-based technology etc.)
  2. Demonstrate innovation (new or adapted to local context)
  3. Include a clear R&D dimension
  4. Address the 2026 thematic priorities
  5. Be beyond ideation stage (already piloted)
  6. Be implementable within 12 months
  7. Not depend on regulatory changes

Additional criteria:

  1. Tech Accelerator: the project must take place in an eligible African country (see list below).
    Partnership: the project must take place in Nigeria with AEDC

Eligible countries

The Digital Energy Challenge Call for Projects 2026 supports projects in the following 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, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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