Competition Context
- Provide opportunities for capacity building, mentorship, and networking in the ROGEAP Business Bootcamp towards strengthening their entrepreneurial skills, and refining their business models.
- Participation in the 2026 ESEF regional forum scheduled to take place in Sierra Leone. At the event you will have the opportunity to pitch your innovative ideas to top investors, Country ministers, leaders and international energy stakeholders. Visit ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF 2025) – ECREEE to learn more about ESEF. A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR MARKET EXPANSION AND NETWORKING
- This competition focuses on innovation and market penetration and encourages the application of ideas from young solar energy start ups.
- Countries eligible are all SMEs within the 19 countries of implementation (Republic of Benin, Republic of Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Republic of Côte D’Ivoire, Islamic Republic of The Gambia, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Mali, Republic of Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Sierra Leone, and Republic of Togo).
Objectives
- To stimulate the development of innovation within the Off-Grid Electrification Sector’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Facilitate access to further financial and technical support schemes from ROGEAP or follow-on investment.
- To promote and support sustainable, gender, social and environmental sensitive SMEs in the off grid solar sector.
- Identify and showcase promising business ideas and ventures that have the potential to make a significant impact in off-grid electrification, whether through technological innovation, business model innovation, or both.
- Attract investment and financing for off-grid electrification projects by showcasing viable investment opportunities and connecting entrepreneurs with potential investors, including venture capitalists, impact investors, and development finance institutions.