Enel Foundation Launches €20,000 wAtt-boost Program to Empower Africa’s Young Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs
About
Enel Foundation, in collaboration with RES4Africa Foundation and Strathmore University, has launched the inaugural edition of wAtt-boost – Youth Power Start Up in Africa, a dynamic initiative aimed at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector. This program combines both pre-acceleration and acceleration support and is open to startups and individual entrepreneurs across Africa who are tackling pressing energy challenges through sustainable, market-driven solutions.
The program reflects a strategic effort to unlock the potential of Africa’s youth in shaping a prosperous, low-carbon future. It offers not only technical and business training, but also the chance to compete for two monetary awards of €10,000 each targeted at the most promising participants from the pre-accelerator and accelerator cohorts.
Program Overview and Thematic Areas
wAtt-boost focuses on entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35, targeting both early-stage ideas and established ventures that promote renewable energy and electrification solutions within Africa. Eligible proposals should address key development areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence for energy optimization and predictive maintenance
- Grids and infrastructure for energy access and integration
- Climate adaptation and mitigation technologies
- Clean cooking innovations to reduce health and environmental risks
- Electric mobility solutions tailored for African markets
- Agrivoltaics that enhance land use efficiency and food security
Selected participants will join either the Pre-Accelerator or Accelerator track based on their stage of development. The pre-accelerator is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs working toward a minimum viable product and establishing market access. The accelerator targets those seeking to refine their business model, validate market fit, and scale their operations.
Training and Capacity Building
The training component of the program is divided into two specialized modules:
- Lectures from the NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator, powered by IRENA and Enel Foundation, scheduled between June and July 2025.
- An ad-hoc module from RES4Africa addressing the structure and evolution of African electricity markets.
Training will be delivered in English and includes mentoring, coaching, networking, and fundraising support. Each selected startup may send up to two members to participate.
Monetary Awards and Recognition
A total of €20,000 in prizes will be awarded. One €10,000 prize will be given to the top participant in the pre-accelerator, and another €10,000 to the winner of the accelerator. These awards aim to support the implementation and expansion of winning projects and will be granted upon full completion of the program.
Timeline and Key Dates
- Call for Applications Opened: May 28, 2025
- Application Deadline: June 10, 2025, at 23:59 CET
- Notification of Selected Participants: June 24, 2025
- Program Kick-Off: July 1, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old
- Either hold African citizenship or represent a startup registered in Africa
- Ensure their startup is active in renewable energy and electrification and has been registered for at least one year
- Demonstrate proficiency in English (native speaker, CAE certificate, or a degree taught in English)
Applications from teams are welcome. If applying as a team, the composition and contact details of all members must be clearly stated. Only one application per individual or team is allowed.
Application Process
For more information and to apply visit Enel Foundation official website. Applications must be submitted in English, and incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
Fourteen participants will be chosen through a competitive review process based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of the proposed solution to Africa’s energy challenges
- Innovation, impact, and scalability of the business model
- Financial feasibility and long-term sustainability
- Strength and clarity of the value proposition and competitive advantage
Following a training phase, participants will present their projects during an online semifinal, with six finalists moving on to a live pitch event in Nairobi. Winners will be evaluated based on team strength, presentation clarity, engagement during the training, and the impact of the training on their business development.
Data Protection and Inquiries
Enel Foundation, as the data controller, will process personal data in compliance with privacy laws. BeeZ Social ERP acts as the data processor.
Enel Foundation encourages gender balance and strongly invites women entrepreneurs to apply.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organisation. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organisation directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
