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Application Deadline: 16th May 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 French Agency for Development (AFD) Digital Energy Challenge. The aim of the Digital Energy Challenge is to support the development of innovative solutions for increased energy access, to facilitate the integration of renewable energies and to improve energy operators’ performance.
Since the launch in 2020, the Challenge, supported by the European Union, AFD and ADEME, has boosted more than 30 Start-up and Energy Utility projects. Following this success, the Challenge is being conducted for an additional year in 2025.
Requirements
The 2025 Call for Projects targets projects for implementation in Africa and owned by:
Start-ups in the pre-seed phase or with early-stage activities. NGOs can apply under the Start-up category (see more details on the eligibility criteria for Start-ups).
Innovative technology or service providers who have already developed a digital solution to be tested (see more details on the eligibility criteria for technology providers)
What activities are included?
Projects must have a core element of digital technology (telecom, computer or cloud-based). They must be innovative, either intrinsically or in relation to the local market or country.
For the Start-ups Challenge only, projects must be local with project management activities in the country where the project is based.
For the Start-ups Challenge, the project scope must adress one of three themes:
- Universal electricity access and mini-grids
- Efficient grid management
- Resilience and decarbonization of power systems
Benefits
Application Timeline:
- 10th March 2025: Launch of the Call for Projects
- 16th May 2025 – 23h59 CET: Deadline for submission of applications
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the French Agency for Development (AFD) Digital Energy Challenge