Applications are open for wAtt-boost – Youth Power Start Up in Africa Program 2026. With the in-kind contribution of RES4Africa Foundation (R4A), and Strathmore University, Enel Foundation is launching the Open Call for the second edition of wAtt-boost: Youth Powered Start Up in Africa. This initiative offers a tailored training program for startups and entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector in Africa.
wAtt-boost aims to nurture and expand renewable energy-focused businesses within Africa’s startup ecosystem. They support both emerging and established entrepreneurs in the African renewable energy sector, helping them develop and grow their enterprises.
THEMATIC FOCUS AND PROGRAMME
We encourage applications from young entrepreneurs in Africa, with a focus on entrepreneurship and renewable energy solutions. The proposed concepts and projects should foster innovation through the lens of start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures in the dynamic field of renewable energy and electrification.
Applicants are invited to submit their business proposals, whether they are new ideas or ongoing projects aimed at fostering and expanding renewable energy-focused businesses within Africa’s startup ecosystem. The challenge seeks innovative solutions in the realm of renewable energy and electrification that can drive sustainable development and address critical energy needs across the continent. Potential solution may include but are not limited to:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) leveraging AI to optimize energy production, distribution, and consumption, AI-driven predictive maintenance for renewable energy systems, smart grid management using AI algorithms, other innovative AI applications in the renewable energy sector.
- Grids and infrastructure such as development of resilient and efficient energy grids infrastructure projects that enhance energy access in remote areas, integration of renewable energy sources into existing grids and other infrastructure solutions that support renewable energy.
- Climate adaptation and mitigation such as solutions that help communities adapt to climate change impacts, technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, projects focused on carbon capture and storage, and other climate-related innovations that support sustainability.
- Clean cooking such as innovations in clean cooking technologies to reduce reliance on traditional biomass, development of affordable and efficient cookstoves, initiatives that promote the adoption of clean cooking solutions, and other clean cooking advancements that improve health and environment.
- Electric mobility such as electric vehicle (EV) solutions tailored for African markets, infrastructure for EV charging stations, projects that promote sustainable transportation options, and other electric mobility initiatives that enhance transportation efficiency.
- Agrivoltaics such as combining agriculture and solar energy production, solutions that enhance land use efficiency and food security, innovations in solar-powered irrigation systems, and other agrivoltaic technologies that support agricultural sustainability.
wAtt-boost – Youth Power Start Up in Africa Training Program
Within the wAtt-boost initiative selected startups/entrepreneurs will be invited to join a tailor-made training program.
The Training for the selected Participants will cover both technical and business aspects of boosting a startup in the renewable energy and power sector, offering a comprehensive package of services such as Training, Mentoring & Coaching, Networking, Visibility, and more (all activities and services will be conducted in English).
The Training is composed of two modules:
- Specific lectures from the NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator, a program owned and carried out by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) [1] with the support of EF, scheduled between June and July 2026;
- An ad-hoc training module run by RES4Africa addressing the peculiarities of the evolving African electricity markets.
A maximum of two members from the selected startup’s team (if any) may participate in the training.
MONETARY PRIZE
- As a key component of the wAtt-boost program, participants will have the possibility to compete for two awards of 10.000,00 euros each.
- This dedicated fund is designed to provide crucial financial support to the most promising entrepreneurs and startups that demonstrate significant potential and growth prospects by the conclusion of the program.
Eligibility Criteria for wAtt-boost – Youth Power Start Up in Africa Program
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Entrepreneurs must be between 18 and 35 years old
- The solution should address the African market
- Ownership: either the entrepreneur must possess African citizenship or the startup must be registered in Africa
- The startup must be registered for at least 1 year and operate in the renewable energy and electrification realm (among the others, potential domains may include, but are not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI), grids and infrastructure, climate adaptation and mitigation, clean cooking, electric mobility, agrivoltaics, …)
- The entrepreneur must have proficiency in English, demonstrated by either being a native speaker, holding a CAE (Certificate in Advanced English), or having a degree completely taught in English
How To Apply for wAtt-boost – Youth Power Start Up in Africa Program
Application Deadline: June 21, 2026
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