UK Launches €827,000 Digital Energy Challenge for Nigeria

The UK has announced the Digital Energy Challenge, inviting Nigerian innovators to apply for a total funding of €827,000. This initiative, co-funded by the UK and the European Union, seeks to develop digital and AI-enabled solutions to improve energy access and operational efficiency in Africa.

The program is open for applications in two categories: tech accelerator and partnership collaboration, specifically targeting 51 countries in Africa. The challenge aims to address the issue of approximately 90 million people in Nigeria lacking reliable electricity.

Selected projects in the tech accelerator category will receive €150,000, while those in the partnership category may receive up to €400,000. The initiative will support project implementation with technical expertise and training, alongside a bootcamp and networking opportunities.

Eligible applicants include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover below €50 million. Applications are open from April 20, 2026, to June 17, 2026.