The Digital Energy Challenge is the annual call for projects of Digital Energy, a programme led by AFD Group. The European Union co-finances it through Global Gateway and the Digital for Development Hub. The challenge started in 2021 and has backed 47 projects across Africa.
It funds digital tools that widen electricity access, help integrate renewable energy, and lift the performance of power utilities. The 2026 edition was the sixth, and Transforming Energy Access joined as a partner of the Tech Accelerator category with funding from UK aid. Applicants enter one of two categories, and the selected projects are announced at the annual bootcamp.
Benefits & funding
- Financial support for each selected project. The official call page does not publish the grant amounts.
- Technical guidance from experts at a dedicated bootcamp.
- Visibility across the Digital Energy ecosystem, plus entry into its community of more than 400 utilities, start-ups, funders and experts.
- Partnership winners receive deeper financial and strategic support for the Nigerian collaboration.
- Scale of the wider programme, for context: Digital Energy reports €6.5 million invested in digital innovation for African power systems since 2019.
Eligibility
- Open to start-ups, technology providers, energy operators, and innovative SMEs.
- Tech Accelerator category: the project runs in one of the 51 eligible African countries. The call page states the count without listing the countries.
- Partnership category: one collaborative project in Nigeria, led by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) together with an innovative SME.
- Priority themes are optimising planning and investment, integrating mini-grid data, and improving network operations.
- The call page sets no nationality, age, degree, or work-experience requirement.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Read the category descriptions on the call page and choose Tech Accelerator, Partnership, or both.
- 2Join the information webinar held shortly after the call opens; in the 2026 round it ran on 5 May and a replay was posted afterwards.
- 3Prepare the project description against the three priority themes.
- 4Submit the application by the deadline through the route given on the call page. The 2026 round closed on 17 June at 23:59 CET.
- 5Wait for the results, published in the autumn alongside the bootcamp.
Program timeline
Call for projects opens
Apr 20, 2026
Information webinar
May 5, 2026
Application deadline, 23:59 CET
Jun 17, 2026
Results announced and bootcamp held
Autumn 2026