APPLY for the USADF-All On Off-Grid Energy Challenge ($100,000 grant)

Application Deadline: March 18th, 2022

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On are excited to request proposals for eligible Nigerian off-grid energy companies for the USADF-All On 2022 Off-Grid Energy Challenge.

The Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a joint initiative of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On and is designed to achieve the following results:

• To increase electrical generation to unserved and underserved communities through sustainable business model solutions;
• To expand electricity access – delivered through off-grid solutions such as home systems or micro-grids;
• To increase access to electricity for productive and/or household use while this may include power to meet household consumer needs, emphasis is also given to the delivery of power to productive or commercial activities including agricultural production and processing, commercial enterprises, and others.

Eligibility Criteria

• USADF and All On will consider proposals from 100% African-owned and majority Nigerian-owned and Nigerian managed companies.
• Winning proposals must:Further develop, scale up or extend use of proven technologies for off–grid energy in Nigeria.
• Benefit marginalized, or low-income rural or urban populations currently underserved by utility companies, ideally with a focus on benefits to women and girls.
• Demonstrate financial sustainability or the potential for financial sustainability. The proposed investment period must include approximately three months of generation of electricity (or generation of energy) and revenue/cash flow from sales.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of experience or have project sponsors or partners with a proven track record of related experience.
• Propose a budget of no more than US$100,000. Proposals with budgets greater than US$100,000 must bring leveraged resources from one or more other sources that meet the total financing requirements. Leveraged funds from other private sector and donor sources are encouraged.
• Demonstrate clearly whether and how many new connections will be added, as well as potential for future replication. A “new connection” is defined as new mini-grid connection or home system installed.
• Applications for projects/ businesses leveraging wind, hydro, biomass, and gas as the energy source are greatly encouraged.
• Productive use applications in the agriculture and agri-business sector are highly encouraged.
• Women-owned or -managed business is a plus.
• Applications will only be considered if:They are 100% African-owned and passports or other government-issued IDs showing citizenship are submitted;
• All shareholders, members of the board and senior management must be citizens of a subSaharan African country and a majority must reside in Nigeria;They are majority Nigerian-owned and -managed (senior managers);
• They express clearly how they will benefit marginalized, grassroots people in Nigeria, including also ideally showing demonstrable positive impacts for female beneficiaries;
• They express clearly how they will achieve profitability;
• They are fully and legally registered in Nigeria and the registration is submitted;
• They document adequate expertise in the field they are proposing or document how they will acquire the necessary expertise;
• They plainly document how they will use the USADF/All On investment funds to carry out their concept.

Award Information

• Proposals of up to US$100,000 in 50/50 blended financing (grant/ debt or equity) per award will be considered, with a maximum of ten (10) awards anticipated.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the USADF-All On 2022 Off-Grid Energy Challenge