Are you an African with an energy production enterprise and looking for funding? And are you from an underprivileged background?
If so, then the USADF is here for you.
The USADF is an independent U.S Government agency that was established by Congress to ‘support and invest in African owned and led enterprises which improve lives and livelihoods in poor and vulnerable communities in Africa.’
Over its ten-year existence, USADF has invested over $24 million in energy projects, which has provided over 250 MW of energy capacity to over 18 African countries and reaching over 1 million people.
So, what Does the USADF do?
Well, the foundation invests directly into enterprises in Africa, providing seed capital and local technical support to early stage agriculture, energy and youth-led African enterprises.
2024 10th Anniversary of USADF
USADF CEO, Travis Adkins says that in 2023, USADF invested over $6.6 million on three core pillars: Powering agriculture and agri-business, empowering women leaders in the energy sector and supporting energy access in the healthcare sector.
Despite all this, challenges of energy access still remain and this is where you come in.
If you are a founder of an off-grid company or enterprise, then you can enter the USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge.
Requirements
To be eligible, your enterprise must be majority African-owned and managed.
The private companies and organizations need to be registered and operating in any of the following countries:
- Benin
- Burundi
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (South Kivu)
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zambia
Application
Before applying for the program, first you need to download and go through the Request for Proposals document, which provides you with all instructions you need to understand the program.
Once you’ve read through, then download the Application template which you should follow to the letter.
Also ensure you download the Budget template to complete the process.
Applications should be handed in before January 31, 2024.