Apply Now: EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026 Opens for Startups

The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) has opened nominations for its 2026 Project of the Year Award.

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It is inviting eligible clean energy businesses to showcase their achievements in innovation, business development, project delivery and fundraising.

The award recognises companies making significant contributions to Africa’s clean energy sector through innovative solutions, measurable impact and business growth.

The competition features two categories: Start Up and Scale Up, allowing businesses at different stages of development to receive recognition for their achievements.

However, the opportunity is exclusively open to EEP Africa portfolio companies. Eligible businesses must have had an active EEP Africa-funded project running in 2020 or later.

About the EEP Africa Project of the Year Award

The Project of the Year Award celebrates outstanding achievements by companies supported through EEP Africa funding.

The Start Up category targets early-stage businesses demonstrating innovation, resilience, market development and progress towards establishing commercially viable solutions.

The Scale Up category recognises companies recording significant business growth, expanding into new markets, attracting investment and building partnerships that support their expansion.

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

Benefits of the Award

Selected companies will benefit from increased visibility and recognition within the African clean energy industry.

The award offers:

• Industry Recognition: Recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions to clean energy development.
• Publicity and Visibility: Promotion of winning projects and their achievements across EEP Africa’s social media platforms.
• Industry Event Sponsorship: The winning company will receive sponsorship to attend a relevant clean energy industry event in 2027.
• Speaking Opportunity: EEP Africa will seek to secure a speaking opportunity for the winner at the sponsored industry event.
• Pitching Opportunity: Shortlisted finalists will present their business achievements and cases to a panel of experts during an online pitching session in early 2027.

The award is primarily a recognition opportunity; the published announcement does not specify a cash prize.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026 Award, applicants must:

• Be a project developer with an active EEP Africa-funded project that has been running in 2020 or later.
• Demonstrate significant and verifiable achievements during 2026.
• Show progress in areas such as innovation, project delivery, business impact or fundraising.
• Submit a self-nomination highlighting the company’s achievements and results.

Locally owned and women-led companies are particularly encouraged to apply.

Important: This is not an open competition for all African startups. Businesses must be part of the EEP Africa portfolio and meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

What EEP Africa Looks for in the Start Up Category

The Start Up category recognises early-stage companies that have demonstrated innovation, resilience and progress despite business or market challenges.

Relevant achievements include:

• Developing and testing innovative approaches to clean energy challenges.
• Demonstrating resilience and effective problem-solving in difficult business environments.
• Establishing strategic partnerships that support business development.
• Achieving early product-market fit or successfully adapting their business models.
• Securing early-stage fundraising.
• Maintaining effective communication with EEP Africa throughout their grant period.

Applicants should provide evidence of their progress, including customer adoption, partnerships, fundraising milestones and successful project implementation.

What About the Scale Up Category?

The Scale Up category focuses on companies that have moved beyond the early stages of development and are expanding their commercial operations.

EEP Africa will consider achievements such as:

• Significant growth in sales and business operations.
• Successful fundraising, particularly investment beyond grant funding.
• Expansion into new geographical markets.
• Establishment of strategic partnerships that support business growth.
• Demonstrable progress towards broader commercial impact.

Companies should select the category that best reflects their development stage and achievements during 2026.

Required Documents

Interested companies must complete an online nomination form outlining their major achievements during 2026.

Applicants are expected to provide:

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

Applicants are encouraged to provide clear and verifiable evidence of their results to strengthen their nominations.

Application Deadline

The deadline for submitting nominations for the EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026 Award is November 20, 2026.

Shortlisted finalists will be invited to participate in an online pitching session before a panel of experts in early 2027.

The award will be presented during EEP Africa Knowledge Week in February 2027.

How to Apply

Eligible companies should visit the EEP Africa website, review the award requirements and complete the online self-nomination form.

Applicants should select the appropriate category, prepare a summary of their achievements, provide an external reference and attach up to three supporting materials.

Application and Information Portal: https://eepafrica.org/

Interested businesses are encouraged to submit their nominations before the November 20, 2026 deadline.