The USADF-All On Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge 2022 is now accepting applications. The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On are pleased to invite submissions for the USADF-All On 2022 Off-Grid Energy Challenge from qualifying Nigerian off-grid energy enterprises.
The Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a collaboration between the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On, with the following goals:
Through sustainable business model solutions, boost energy generation to unserved and underserved communities;
To increase access to power by using off-grid options such as home systems or micro-grids;
o Increase access to electricity for productive and/or domestic usage. While this may include power for household consumption requirements, it also includes power for productive or commercial operations such as agricultural production and processing, commercial companies, and others.
The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is a non-profit corporation founded by Congress to support African grassroots organizations, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized businesses. The investments made by the USADF help to boost local economic development by raising incomes, revenues, and jobs, as well as providing opportunities for marginalized people and underprivileged communities.
Goals and Benefits
Proposals for grants of up to $100,000 in 50/50 blended finance (grant/debt/equity) will be reviewed, with a maximum of ten (10) awards expected.
Qualification requirements
- USADF and All On will examine proposals from firms that are 100 percent African-owned and managed, as well as those that are majority Nigerian-owned and controlled.
- All owners and top managers must submit passports or other government-issued identification with their applications. If the applying company is entirely or partially owned by another company, the owners’ passports or other government-issued IDs must also be presented.
- The companies who apply must be for-profit businesses that are not owned or operated by the government in any way.
- Applicants may be the creators of their own technology or those that are purchasing and utilizing technology created by others.
- Applicants must be legally registered in Nigeria, have the ability to track and manage project resources, and be in good standing with the local governments where they operate.
Winning proposals must include the following:
- Continue to develop, scale up, or expand the use of proven off-grid energy solutions in Nigeria.
- Benefit disenfranchised or low-income rural and urban groups that are currently underserved by utility providers, with a preference for women and girls.
- Demonstrate financial viability or the ability to achieve financial viability. The suggested investment period must comprise about three months of electricity (or energy) generation and sales revenue/cash flow.
- Demonstrate a track record of success, or have project sponsors or partners with a track record of success in a relevant field.
- Propose a budget of up to $100,000 USD. Proposals with budgets exceeding $100,000 must include leveraged resources from one or more other sources to achieve the entire funding requirements. Other private sector and donor sources of leveraged money are encouraged.
- Show whether and how many additional connections will be created, as well as the potential for replication in the future. A “new connection” is described as a newly installed mini-grid or home system.
- Applications for projects/businesses that use renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, biomass, and gas are strongly welcomed.
- Agriculture and agribusiness apps that are productive are greatly encouraged.
- It’s a positive if the company is owned or managed by a woman.
Date of the interview
From February 21, 2022 through March 18, 2022, applications will be accepted.
Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Because applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, it is recommended that applications be submitted well before the deadline. A panel of judges with experience in the topic will analyze and assess the applications. In April, applicants who have been shortlisted will be invited to begin the Phase II application process.
By December 2022, the winners should be notified.
Documents Required for Application
Applicant Background Information
- Name and ownership details. Passport verification of citizenship.
- Business Certificate of Incorporation
- Certified Copies of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Forms 2 and 7
- Certificate of Occupancy for Business Address
- Tax Clearance Certificate
- Applicant history, legal address and contact information
How to Apply
The linked business proposal template is necessary for all candidates. On or before March 18, 2022, send the completed proposal template, along with all relevant documentation, to the following email address: OffGridChallengeNigeria2022@usadf.gov. Only proposals sent to the aforementioned email address will be considered.
General enquiries should be sent to OffGridChallengeNigeria2022@usadf.gov; inquiries sent to other email addresses will be ignored.
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Source: Nyscinfo