Applications open for 2026 Africa Energy Entrepreneurship Award

UK-based clean energy firm Octopus Energy has opened applications for the second edition of its Africa Energy Entrepreneurship Award, which offers grant funding, mentorship and support to early-stage startups expanding clean power access across the continent.

Run in partnership with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), and this year also supported by Nigerian solar company Salpha Energy, the Africa Energy Entrepreneurship Award will select three winners to receive a grant to scale product development and deployment, as well as access to a mentorship programme and resources and visibility aimed at helping them unlock follow-on funding.

The programme is open to startups based in Sub-Saharan Africa that are no more than five years old and have fewer than 20 full-time employees. Applications will be assessed on the uniqueness of the innovation, how it improves energy access, scalability, community impact, and the strength of the founding team. A panel of CEOs, founders and C-suite executives with experience in Africa’s energy transition will judge entries.

Last year’s winners were Nigeria’s Nimsy Agro Solar, which provides solar-powered irrigation pumps to smallholder farmers; PAM AI, which uses technology to optimise mini-grid energy; and KAMIM Technologies, which builds solar-powered cooling systems for farmers.

“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,” said Onimisi Charles Atere, founder of Nimsy Agro Solar Concept. “The award has opened up new opportunities and networks, positioning us for greater impact and scale.”

Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, said the company was proud to back early-stage startups delivering 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,” she said.

Applications close on December 11.

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