About NESI Innovation Challenge
The NESI Innovation Challenge 2026 is Nigeria’s leading PowerTech innovation competition, bringing together students, startups, innovators, and technology enthusiasts to solve real challenges in the electricity and energy sector.
Participants will have the opportunity to develop impactful solutions, receive mentorship from industry experts, connect with key stakeholders, and compete for a share of the ₦10 million prize pool.
Challenge Overview
The NESI Innovation Challenge 2026 seeks groundbreaking solutions that can improve the efficiency, accessibility, affordability, sustainability, and reliability of power systems within Nigeria.
Applications are now open for the NESI Innovation Challenge 2026, Nigeria’s leading PowerTech competition. Participants are encouraged to submit innovative concepts, products, solutions, business models, capable of solving real-world energy challenges.
- Location: Nigeria
- Prize Pool: ₦10,000,000
Who Can Apply?
- Startups
- Students
- Researchers
- Innovators and tech enthusiasts
- Entrepreneurs.
- Software developers.
- Engineers.
- Energy professionals.
- Academic institutions and research teams.
- Individuals or teams with innovative energy-related solutions.
- Organizations working on power and energy innovations.
- Anyone passionate about solving challenges within the electricity and energy sector.
Benefits:
- Share of ₦10,000,000 prize pool
- Mentorship from industry experts
- Networking opportunities
- Incubation and pilot project support
- Opportunity to scale innovative solutions
- Potential access to partnerships and collaboration opportunities.
- Validation of innovative concepts and technologies.
- Opportunity to contribute to national energy development.
- Increased exposure for startups and research projects.
- Platform to demonstrate technical expertise and creativity.
- Opportunity to transform innovative ideas into impactful solutions.
Focus Areas:
- Renewable Energy & Microgrids
- Energy Data & AI
- Smart Metering & Billing
- Grid Automation
- Energy Access & Inclusion
- Climate & Sustainability
Why Participate?
The energy sector is one of the most critical drivers of economic growth, industrial development, technological advancement, and social progress. Solving the challenges facing electricity generation, distribution, accessibility, and affordability requires bold thinking and innovative solutions.
The NESI Innovation Challenge 2026 provides a unique platform for talented individuals and teams to turn their ideas into impactful solutions capable of shaping the future of energy in Nigeria.