USADF-All On 2021 Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge

USADF and All On are excited to request proposals for the USADF-all On Off-Grid Energy Challenge. Proposals are invited from eligible Nigerian off-grid energy companies. Selected enterprises will receive funding in the form of convertible debt and grant capital.

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:

1. To increase electrical generation to unserved and underserved communities through sustainable business model solutions;
2. To expand electricity access – delivered through off-grid solutions such as home systems or micro-grids;
3. 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.

The Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a key element of the Beyond the Grid sub-initiative of Power Africa, a U.S. Government-led partnership launched in 2013 to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 by increasing installed power capacity by 30,000 MW and creating 60 million new connections. Of these targeted 60 million new connections, as many as 25-30 million are expected to be added through off-grid solutions.

• Table of Content
• About United States African Development Foundation (USADF)
• USADF-All Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge
• Aim and Benefits of USADF-All Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge
• Requirements for USADF-All Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About United States African Development Foundation (USADF)

The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent U.S. government agency established by Congress to invest in African grassroots organizations, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises. USADF's investments promote local economic development by increasing incomes, revenues and jobs, and creating pathways to prosperity for marginalized populations and underserved communities. Over the last five years, throughout Africa, with an emphasis on the Horn, Sahel and Great Lakes regions, USADF has invested more than $115 million dollars directly into over 1,000 Af...... continue reading

USADF-All Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge

Aim and Benefits of USADF-All Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge

Winning applicants will receive: -

1. An investment in the form of a convertible loan at an affordable interest rate and/or an equity investment
2. Seed capital from All On in the form of grants, and from USADF in the form of Community Reinvestment Grant (CRG) funds. The CRG intends for grant recipients to recommit a percentage of grant funding to a local organization to further support community-level projects in Nigeria
3. Access to intensive local technical assistance and governance support

Winning proposals must: -

1. Further develop, scale up or extend use of proven technologies for off–grid energy in Nigeria.
2. Benefit marginalized, or low-income rural or urban populations currently underserved by utility companies, ideally with a focus on benefits to women and girls and communities in the Niger Delta.
3. 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.
4. Demonstrate a proven track record of experience or have project sponsors or partners with a proven track record of related experience.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Applications for projects/ businesses leveraging wind, hydro, biomass, and gas as the energy source are greatly encouraged. - Women-owned or -managed business is a plus

Requirements for USADF-All Nigeria Off-Grid Energy Challenge Qualification

To be considered for the Challenge, applicants must be 100% African-owned, majority Nigerian-owned and -managed private companies registered in Nigeria and must be operating in Nigeria.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

All applicants are required to use the linked business proposal template. The completed proposal template along with the required documentation should be submitted by email on or before February 28, 2021, to the following email address: [email protected]

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis, so it is advised that applicants submit their proposals as soon as possible.

For details on eligibility and full application instructions, please refer to the Request for Proposals document below.

Request for Proposals

Application Form

For more details, visit USADF website