Calling Africa’s innovators! Octopus Energy opens entries for 2026 clean energy award

London, 7th October 2026 - Africa’s next wave of clean energy innovators are invited to step into the spotlight and enter the 2026 Africa Energy Entrepreneurship Award by Octopus Energy.

The award aims to help scale start-ups who are turning Africa’s biggest energy challenges into  solutions, jobs and economic opportunities. 

This is the second year Octopus - the global clean energy and tech pioneer managing $11.5bn of renewables - has run the award supported by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI). This year, the award is also supported by SMI affiliate member Salpha Energy, the Nigerian-based fast-growing solar energy company. 

Judges are looking for start-ups that show what makes their innovation unique, how their tech improves access to energy, the scalability of their business and its impact on communities, and their expertise and drive to deliver on their bold mission. 

To enter, businesses must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa, founded no more than five years ago and have fewer than 20 full-time employees. Entries will be judged by a panel of experts, including CEOs, founders and C-suite leaders with deep experience in Africa’s energy transition*.

Businesses have until 11 December to enter here - and three winners will receive a grant to help scale their product development and deployment. In addition, they’ll get access to a mentorship programme, plus resources and visibility to help unlock follow-on funding opportunities. 

Last year’s inspirational winners included Nimsy Agro Solar, whose solar-powered irrigation pumps help thousands of Nigerian smallholder farmers ditch costly diesel, PAM AI, which uses tech to optimise mini-grid energy, and KAMIM Technologies’ solar-powered cooling systems for farmers. 

With some of the world’s best solar and wind resources, Africa is well placed to become a global clean energy powerhouse. Green energy has already created 344,000 jobs across the continent – and that number could rise to as many as 7.9 million by 2030.**

Onimisi Charles Atere, Founder of Nimsy Agro Solar Concept, winner of the 2025 award said: “With last year’s grant funding, we developed and piloted a first-of-its-kind solar irrigation reservoir in Giwa LGA in the Kaduna State in Nigeria. It enables smallholder farmers without access to surface water to irrigate their farms, grow food year-round, improving their productivity and livelihoods. The award has opened up new opportunities and networks, positioning us for greater impact and scale.”

Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation: “Tech and innovation are unlocking the benefits of clean energy for homes and businesses - and transforming communities across the continent. We’re proud to be supporting early-stage startups across Africa to scale up as they deliver meaningful change through energy. We can’t wait to see this year’s applicants and hope this award continues to provide a launchpad for trailblazers to take their ideas to the next level.”

Sandra Chukwudozie, Founder & CEO, Salpha Energy: “I believe the future of energy in Africa will be built by Africans. Through our partnership with Octopus Energy, this initiative is about unlocking the talent, grit, and innovation of a new generation of builders who will drive true energy freedom across the continent.”

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, said: “We are delighted to partner with Octopus Energy for a second year to spotlight and support this next generation of African clean energy leaders. By connecting entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, expertise and visibility, we can help move innovation from promising ideas to solutions delivering impact at scale.”

This comes as Octopus has been rapidly expanding its activity in Africa. With its Power Africa Initiative, it has ambitions to catalyse $450 million into the clean energy investment in Africa. 

Octopus is also currently building Sierra Leone’s first-ever wind farm on Sherbro Island with Idris Elba’s Elba Hope Foundation, bringing clean, reliable power to underserved homes and businesses.

In addition, Octopus recently launched its ‘Current Africa’ podcast series, bringing together investors, trailblazers and experts to explore the scale of Africa’s clean energy transition, how to accelerate it and to put a spotlight on the businesses building systems of the future. 

In the podcast series, Octopus speaks to UN energy champion Damilola Ogunbiyi; leading economist Dr Vera Songwe; Dr Enos Banda, CEO of ENERTRAG South Africa; Gqi Raoleka, Co-founder and CEO of Pele Energy Group, and more. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

* The full list of judges includes:

**IRENA Renewable Energy & Jobs, annual review, 2025 & FSD Africa, Green Transition: Opportunities Towards a Green and Inclusive Workforce, 2026

Press Contacts

Octopus Energy Group

press@octoenergy.com 

+44 (0)20 4530 8369

About Octopus Energy Group

Octopus Energy is a global clean energy and technology business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting-edge energy products to 11 million households globally.

The company is driving the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative clean tech, with operations spanning 27 countries and the entire energy value chain. It operates a £8.5 billion renewables portfolio as well as thriving EV leasing, heat pump, and solar businesses.

Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide. For more information, check out our website.

About Salpha Energy

Salpha is a leading provider of off-grid solar energy solutions, designing, distributing, and financing solar power systems for populations without reliable electrical grid access. Through its growing portfolio of clean energy solutions, Salpha has reached nearly 3 million people, expanding access to reliable and affordable electricity for households and businesses.

The company combines product innovation, local assembly, consumer financing and extensive distribution to address some of the biggest barriers to energy access. Its portfolio spans solar home systems, energy-efficient appliances and higher-capacity power solutions designed for residential and commercial use.

With local assembly operations in Nigeria and a growing regional footprint, Salpha is scaling a clean energy platform to provide Energy Freedom to people across Africa. For more information, visit our website: www.salphaenergy.com 

About the Sustainable Markets Initiative

The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) is the world's leading private sector organisation driving the sustainable transition, bringing together CEOs, world leaders and innovators to accelerate practical action. Founded by His Majesty King Charles III, the SMI is defined by its unique approach to 'private sector diplomacy', convening leaders across business, government and finance to position sustainability at the heart of global value creation.

Together, the SMI and its partners seek to mobilize the trillions of dollars needed to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. Achieving this requires systems-level change across markets, industries and global supply chains. The SMI's two mandates – the Terra Carta and Astra Carta – provide practical frameworks for business to drive that transformation through collaboration, innovation and investment.

The SMI believes that with bold ambition and courageous leadership, the sustainable transition can become the greatest economic opportunity of our generation. We call this 'The Growth Story of Our Time.' Read more: www.sustainable-markets.org