All On launches The 2026 Off-Grid Energy Challenge To Accelerate Clean Energy Innovation In Nigeria
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Ngozi Uma
All On, a leading investor in Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector, has launched the 2026 Off-Grid Energy Challenge to support innovative clean energy businesses working to improve electricity access across the country.
The nationwide competition is open to Nigerian-owned clean energy companies with innovative solutions that can help bridge the country’s energy access gap. Applications opened on July 2 and will close on July 31, 2026.
Building on the success of previous editions, the challenge aims to identify and support entrepreneurs developing scalable and commercially viable solutions in renewable energy, productive use technologies, energy efficiency, cold chain systems and other off-grid energy projects.
The initiative is designed to expand access to clean and reliable electricity in unserved and underserved communities while creating opportunities for economic growth and improving livelihoods.
Since its launch in 2018, the Off-Grid Energy Challenge has committed $3.6 million to 36 Nigerian-owned companies.
The supported projects have provided clean energy access to more than 150,000 Nigerians.
For the 2026 edition, successful applicants will receive between $200,000 and $1 million in blended funding, combining grants and commercial financing. Winners will also benefit from technical assistance and investment-readiness support from the All On Hub team.
This year’s challenge will focus on projects that promote the productive use of energy by creating economic opportunities in agriculture, cold storage, healthcare and small businesses.
It will also support innovations in mini-grids, solar home systems, the off-grid energy value chain, and projects that improve opportunities for women and young people.
Speaking at the launch, Innovation Hub Manager, Sele Inegbedion, said the initiative was created because Nigeria already has entrepreneurs with the ideas needed to solve the country’s energy challenges.
He said All On’s role is to identify these innovators, provide financial support and help them grow their businesses. According to him, the 2026 edition offers more funding than previous editions and encourages innovators developing solutions for underserved communities to apply.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of All On, Caroline Eboumbou, said Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector has continued to demonstrate that the right financial and technical support can deliver lasting impact.
She noted that the Off-Grid Energy Challenge reflects the company’s commitment to investing in entrepreneurs providing practical solutions to one of Nigeria’s biggest development challenges.
To qualify, applicants must be majority Nigerian-owned and managed for-profit companies that are legally registered and operating in Nigeria.
They must also present innovative and commercially viable projects capable of serving unserved and underserved communities within a 12 to 18-month investment period.
All On is an independent impact investment company established by Shell to promote the growth of Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector.
The company provides debt, equity financing and technical support to renewable energy businesses working to expand affordable and reliable electricity access for low-income households and small businesses across the country.
