Each year, the Digital Energy Challenge for Utilities rewards 2 to 3 utility and technology/service provider partnership projects for innovative digital solutions aimed at improving energy access and grid services in Africa.
The Challenge runs from 2021 to 2024 and is part of the Digital Energy Facility program.
Discover the 2023 edition here and the winning projects here.
4th March 2024
Launch of the call for projects
19th March 2024
Watch the information webinar's replays:
15th May 2024 - 23h59 CET
Deadline for submission of applications
Autumn 2024
Notification of award winners and bootcamp
The three themes for the 2024 call for projects are:
Universal electricity access and mini-grids
Digital innovations in the field of mini-grids to maximize their efficiency and impact: energy management systems for the optimal use of clean and renewable energy; software and hardware technologies for an efficient integration of productive use assets; storage systems and algorithms minimizing the use of fossil fuel generators; tools to facilitate interconnections with the main grid and with other mini-grids; systems and algorithms for building-up nanogrids; geospatial data analytics for power demand evaluation and/or credit risk assessment.
Efficient grid management
Digital services and products ensuring a proper operation of the power grid, with a focus on: information availability and communication systems; streamlining Business-As-Usual grid operational management practices of the power system; increased power availability and service quality.
Resilience and decarbonation of power systems
Digital-based solutions enabling the development of a greener and more resilient power infrastructure (encompassing generation systems as well as the grid): additional renewable capacity; grid stability and flexibility; energy savings at the end-user level (Commercial & Industrial as well as households).
The 2024 Challenge for Utilities is open to projects owned by African public power utilities (including public Independent System Operators, private companies under a public service concession, power pools, regional organisations, energy regulators and rural electrification authorities) in a partnership with an innovative technology/service provider. Candidates can request support to identify a partner when downloading the application pack.
For every annual Call for Projects, 2 to 3 winning utility partnerships will each benefit from:
Financial support of up to €500K including: a grant to contribute to costs for equipment, software, products or services supplied by the innovative technology or service provider and training; technical assistance for project management support or strategic and technical expertise.
A joint bootcamp run by cross-sectorial experts, to support project implementation, provide sectorial insights, foster synergies between project winners and encourage best-practice sharing.
Widespread communication campaigns piloted by AFD during the selection phase, award ceremony, bootcamp and for a period of time after these events.
The project owner must be an African public power utility or organisation. This definition includes public ISO (Independent System Operators), private companies under a public service concession, power pools, regional organisations, energy regulators and rural electrification authorities.
The project owner must be in a partnership with a technology/service provider and meet the following criteria:
Less than 15 years existence and have already developed an innovative solution to be tested with the Challenge
National or international registered company
More than 5 employees
Annual turnover of less than €50M
Have already entered into business relations with an African utility, resulting in the signature – either effective or imminent – of a memorandum of understanding.
The collaborative project must have digital technology as a core element (telecom, computer or cloud-based technology); be innovative either intrinsically or in relation to the local market/country; and be local i.e. have project management activities in the country where the project is based.
🌍 Eligible countries
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo Democratic Republic, Congo Republic, 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.
For more information:
Consult the FAQ which will be updated regularly
- Join the Challenge mailing list and ask any questions by contacting us
