Call for Applications: USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge (grant capital funding of up to $250,000)
Closing Date: 12 December 2024
Call for Applications: USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge (grant capital funding of up to $250,000)
U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is excited to announce a new call for applications for the USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge. Successful enterprises have the opportunity to secure grant capital funding of up to $250,000. USADF welcome proposals from off-grid energy companies registered and operating in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (South Kivu), Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Background
The Off-Grid Energy Challenge is an initiative of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) designed to achieve the following results:
- To increase electric power generation to unserved and underserved African communities through
sustainable business model solutions - To increase or/and expand energy access through off-grid solutions such as home systems and micro-or mini-grids
- To increase access to electricity for household and productive uses – while this may include power to
meet household consumer needs, emphasis is given to the delivery of power to productive commercial and industrial activities including agricultural production and processing, commercial enterprises, industrial enterprises, healthcare facilities and others - To increase women’s participation in the energy sector by supporting women-owned and managed
energy enterprises
The Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a key element of the Beyond the Grid sub-initiative of Power Africa, a U.S. Government-led partnership launched in 2013 to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 by increasing installed power capacity by 30,000 MW and creating 60 million new connections. Of these targeted 60 million new connections, as many as 25-30 million are expected to be added through off-grid solutions
Application Process
USADF is excited to request proposals for the USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge. Proposals are invited from eligible African off-grid energy companies.
Award: Selected enterprises will receive funding in the form of grant capital of up to $250,000.
To be considered for the Challenge, applicants must be majority African-owned and managed private companies and organizations (including non-profit and not-for-profit) registered and operating in any of the listed above countries in Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
USADF will consider proposals from African-owned and managed companies or organizations (including non-profit and not-for-profit organizations). Passports or other government-issued IDs of all owners and senior managers must be submitted with the applications. If the applying entity is owned wholly or in part by another entity, passports or other government-issued IDs of its owners must also be provided. The applying entity must not be government-owned, operated, or affiliated in any way nor may be the beneficiaries of the project.
Applicants may be developers of their own technology and/or may be acquiring and implementing technology developed elsewhere. Applicants need to be legally registered in Africa and demonstrate the capacity to track and manage the project resources and operate in good standing with the local governments where they operate.
Applications will only be considered if they:
- Are African-owned and passports or other government-issued IDs showing citizenship are submitted
o Majority of shareholders, members of the board and senior management must be citizens of
a sub-Saharan African country - Express clearly how they will benefit marginalized, grassroots people in Africa, including showing
demonstrable positive impacts for female beneficiaries - Express clearly how they will achieve profitability and sustainable growth
- Are fully and legally registered in Africa, and the registration is submitted
- Document adequate expertise in the field they are proposing or document how they will acquire the necessary expertise
- Clearly document how they will use USADF grant capital to carry out their concept
Click Here To Apply
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