Approximately 57 percent, or 600 million people, in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to reliable electricity. To address this issue, USADF’s off-grid energy grants foster market-based solutions that connect underserved populations to power.
From 2017 to 2021, we invested over $11 million in grants to more than 100 African enterprises, delivering renewable energy solutions to communities with limited or no access to national grids.
In 2023, USADF allocated $6.68 million to support up to 38 off-grid energy projects across 14 countries, aligned with commitments made at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit in December 2022.
As part of the U.S. government-led Power Africa initiative, we collaborate with the private sector to launch various off-grid energy challenges, including the USADF Women in Energy Challenge and the Sahel-Horn of Africa Energy Challenge. These initiatives fund African entrepreneurs developing energy solutions using solar, wind, hydro, and biogas technologies.
Through these challenges, we award grants of up to $250,000 to African enterprises that drive local economic activities and demonstrate sustainable, scalable business models. Challenge winners provide immediate energy solutions for agriculture, off-farm businesses, and commercial enterprises.
We are excited to announce a new call for applications for the USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge. We invite proposals from registered off-grid energy companies operating in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (South Kivu), Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. 🌍
Successful applicants can secure grant funding of up to $250,000. The application deadline is December 12, 2024. For more information, please visit USADF Apply!
