Deadline Date: March 21, 2026
Applicants are now invited to submit applications for small and medium enterprises in the off-grid solar sector to participate in an innovation competition aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and expanding access to sustainable energy solutions.
The competition focuses on stimulating innovation within the off-grid electrification sector’s SMEs, facilitating access to additional financial and technical support schemes from ROGEAP or follow-on investment, promoting sustainable and gender-sensitive enterprises in the off-grid solar sector, identifying and showcasing promising business ideas and ventures that can significantly impact off-grid electrification through technological or business model innovation, and attracting investment and financing for off-grid electrification projects by connecting entrepreneurs with potential investors including venture capitalists, impact investors, and development finance institutions.
The competition offers several prizes to support promising ventures, including a first prize of $5,000, additional awards of $2,500 for five selected participants, and a $4,000 equalisation award dedicated to the best woman-led enterprise.
The competition provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to strengthen their business capabilities and expand their networks within the renewable energy sector. Participants will benefit from capacity-building opportunities, mentorship, and networking activities through the ROGEAP Business Bootcamp, which is designed to help entrepreneurs refine their business models and improve their entrepreneurial skills.
Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in the 2026 ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum regional event scheduled to be held in Sierra Leone. During this forum, selected participants will present their innovative ideas to investors, government ministers, industry leaders, and international energy stakeholders. The event provides an important platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their solutions and expand their market presence in the renewable energy sector.
The competition focuses on innovation and market penetration and encourages young solar energy startups to submit ideas that can contribute to improving off-grid electrification. Eligible participants include SMEs operating within the 19 countries of implementation, including Benin, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
For more information, visit ROGEAP.
