Call for Applications: EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026 Nominations for

• Share
• Tweet

EEP Africa is inviting eligible clean energy businesses to nominate themselves for its Project of the Year 2026 award, which recognises companies that have recorded significant achievements in innovation, business delivery, impact or fundraising during the year

The award has two categories: Start Up and Scale Up. The Start Up category recognises early-stage companies developing innovative solutions, testing business models or establishing themselves in the market, while the Scale Up category targets businesses expanding sales, raising capital and reaching new markets

The award will be presented during EEP Africa Knowledge Week in February 2027. The nomination deadline is November 20, 2026

What Does the Award Offer?

The Project of the Year award gives selected EEP Africa portfolio companies an opportunity to present their achievements to a wider clean energy audience

• Industry recognition: The award celebrates companies demonstrating measurable progress in clean energy innovation and business development.
• Visibility: The winning projects and their achievements will be promoted through EEP Africa’s social media channels.
• Sector event participation: The winner will receive sponsorship to attend a relevant industry event in 2027.
• Speaking opportunity: EEP Africa will seek to secure a speaking opportunity for the winner at the sponsored event.
• Pitching opportunity: Shortlisted finalists will present their business cases and achievements to a jury of experts during an online pitching session in early 2027.

The award is a recognition opportunity rather than a general startup grant. The published announcement does not specify a cash prize

Who Can Apply?

The award is open to project developers that have had an active EEP Africa-funded project running in 2020 or later

This means the opportunity is not open to all African startups. Businesses must have an eligible EEP Africa-funded project to nominate themselves

EEP Africa encourages nominations from locally owned and women-led companies

What Does EEP Africa Look for in the Start Up Category?

Early-stage companies must demonstrate verifiable achievements during 2026. Relevant achievements may include:

• Developing and testing innovative approaches to clean energy challenges.
• Showing resilience and solving operational or market challenges.
• Establishing strategic partnerships that support business growth.
• Finding early product-market fit or successfully changing a business model.
• Securing early-stage fundraising.
• Maintaining good communication with EEP Africa during the grant period.

Applicants should focus on specific results rather than general descriptions of their products. Evidence of customer adoption, partnerships, fundraising, project delivery or progress towards commercial

What About the Scale Up Category?

The Scale Up category recognises companies that are progressing towards broader commercial reach and impact

EEP Africa will consider achievements such as:

• Strong business growth and increased sales.
• Significant fundraising, particularly funding beyond grants.
• Expansion into new geographic markets.
• Strategic partnerships that help the company grow.

Startups should select the category that best reflects their stage of development and the results achieved during 2026

What Documents Are Required?

Applicants must complete an online nomination form describing their company’s key achievements during 2026

The application requires:

• Company and project information.
• A description of the achievements being nominated.
• Contact details for one external reference, such as a business partner, investor or donor.
• Up to three supporting files or links, such as photographs, videos or brochures documenting the achievements.

Applicants should ensure that their claims can be verified and that their supporting materials clearly demonstrate progress during the award period

Application Deadline and Award Date

The deadline for self-nominations is November 20, 2026

Shortlisted finalists will be invited to pitch online before a jury of experts in early 2027. The award will be presented during EEP Africa Knowledge Week in February 2027

How to Apply

Eligible companies can apply by following these steps:

1. Visit the EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026 announcement.
2. Review the eligibility criteria and decide whether the Start Up or Scale Up category best matches the company’s achievements.
3. Prepare a summary of the business’s key results during 2026.
4. Gather contact details for one external reference and up to three supporting files or links.
5. Complete the online nomination form and submit it before the deadline.

Deadline: November 20, 2026

Eligible applicants: Project developers with an active EEP Africa-funded project running in 2020 or later

Award ceremony: EEP Africa Knowledge Week, February 2027

Nomination page:EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026

Don’t Miss

ProMoat Capital Opens Applications for ₦1.5m Drawbridge Grant for Nigerian SMEs

• 
  Business4 years ago

  BREAKING: CBN announces New Withdrawal Policies, Pegs ATM Withdrawals Limit at N20,000 daily, N100,000 weekly

• 
  Business6 years ago

  First Bank Nigeria Joins SME Finance Forum

• 
  Business6 years ago

  FG Opens Application Portal for N75 Billion MSME Survival Fund 10pm Today, Releases Time-table for Payroll Support Scheme for different sectors

• 
  Business3 years ago

  Call for Applications: MTN ICT and Business Skills Training (N90 Million Grant for 300 Participants)

• 
  Business5 years ago

  Sendbox raises $1.8 million in seed funding to digitize deliveries for African SMEs

• 
  Business6 years ago

  How to apply and benefit from free CAC Business Name Registration for 250,000 MSMEs

• Business4 years ago

  Call for Applications: Rural Youth Skill Acquisition Programme for Nigerian Youths (receive N50,000 monthly stipend)

• 
  Articles & Resources6 years ago

  How to put your house in order for tax purposes