EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026: Nominations Open for Clean Energy Companies (EEP Africa Grantees Only)

EEP Africa (the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund, hosted by the Nordic Development Fund) is calling for self-nominations for its Project of the Year 2026 award, celebrating clean energy companies with outstanding results this year. There are two categories, Start Up and Scale Up, and the deadline is 20 November 2026.

Important: this award is only for EEP Africa portfolio companies — project developers that have had an active EEP Africa-funded project running in 2020 or later. It is not open to all clean energy startups, and there is no published cash prize.

Key Details

• Organiser: EEP Africa, hosted by the Nordic Development Fund (funded by Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, NDF, Norway and Switzerland)
• Categories: Start Up and Scale Up
• Who: companies with an EEP Africa-funded project active in 2020 or later
• Encouraged: locally owned and women-led companies
• Award ceremony: EEP Africa Knowledge Week, February 2027
• Deadline: 20 November 2026

Benefits

• recognition as EEP Africa’s Project of the Year at Knowledge Week
• promotion across EEP Africa’s social media
• sponsored attendance at a relevant sector event in 2027, with efforts to secure a speaking slot
• for finalists: an online pitch to an expert jury in early 2027

Eligibility

• any project developer with an active EEP Africa-funded project in 2020 or later
• significant, verifiable achievements during 2026 in innovation, delivery, impact or fundraising

Start Up category — look for: resilience and problem-solving in a tough environment; strategic partnerships; testing innovative approaches; early market fit or a successful pivot; early fundraising; good communication with EEP Africa during the grant.

Scale Up category — look for: strong growth and sales; significant (mostly non-grant) fundraising; expansion into new markets; partnerships that drive growth.

How to Apply

1. Read the official EEP Africa announcement.
2. Choose the category that fits your stage.
3. Complete the online nomination form describing your key 2026 achievements.
4. Add contact details for one external reference (partner, investor or donor).
5. Upload up to three supporting files — photos, videos or brochures.
6. Submit by 20 November 2026.

Tips

• Lead with numbers: connections made, units sold, revenue, funds raised in 2026.
• Pick a reference who can confirm your results.
• Use photos or short videos that show real impact on the ground.
• Tell a clear story: the challenge, what you did and what changed.

Not an EEP Africa Grantee? Try These

• Mozilla Human-Scale AI Incubator (Up to US$500,000)
• SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027
• Africa Impact Academy Cohort 2 (2026)

Deadline: 20 November 2026. EEP Africa portfolio companies only.