About GreenLabs
GreenLabs is a 9-month incubation program designed to support young entrepreneurs in developing scalable green ventures, foster youth-led green solutions, climate innovation and sustainable economic growth.
About the Challenge
We are excited to introduce the Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge, a dynamic hackathon-style competition designed to engage and inspire young aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs in addressing the confluence of two of the most pressing global issues of our time: climate change, and energy access in Nigeria.
As we stand on the precipice of a sustainable energy revolution, this competition seeks to harness the next generation of leaders’ creativity, ingenuity, and passion to drive meaningful change in the energy sector. Within three weeks, these young people will be challenged to design solutions to local problems facing local communities but with the potential to scale.
Challenge Prizes
Challenge Statement
Despite having abundant energy resources, about 94% of Nigerians lack access to clean energy, which impedes economic development and affects healthcare, education, and quality of life.
Nigeria’s renewable energy sector offers a vast canvas for innovation. We challenge you to leverage emerging technologies, data, and innovative models, to design groundbreaking solutions that address any (or a combination) of the following: (Click on an area to expand for more info)
Design renewable solutions that seamlessly integrate into Nigeria’s national grid, and efficiently distribute energy, ensuring reliable and consistent power supply to homes, businesses, and industries.
Develop scalable and affordable off-grid renewable energy solutions that extend electricity to underserved and remote areas, serving households, schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses to enhance the quality of life, education, and economic opportunities for Nigerian communities. The solutions should consider the unique geographical and environmental conditions of the region you choose to serve.
Design energy storage solutions and distribution solutions to efficiently store excess energy generated during peak production, for use during low production time, ensuring energy availability around the clock.
Create sustainable solutions powered by renewable energy for transportation, cooking, heating, cooling, or product materials & manufacturing, amongst others, which reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly options for Nigerian urban or rural dwellers.
Design innovative business models that leverage renewable energy products/applications, to foster the growth of micro-businesses in Nigeria. These projects should contribute to the country’s energy transition and drive economic development (especially job creation).
Propose solutions for sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructure development in Nigeria, emphasising the use of renewable energy sources for building lighting & temperature control, water supply, transportation, and/or waste management.
Participation Requirements
To be eligible for this challenge, you must meet the following requirements –
Age: 20-35 years
Location: Required to attend the final Demo Day in person at CADEF Head Office.
Time: Available to attend all virtual and in-person (physical) training/mentorship sessions.
Internet: Access to reliable internet connection.
How To Participate
To successfully participate in the renewable energy innovation challenge, participants are required to watch the info session , complete the mini energy course and assess the team selection kit.
Step 1: Attend the Info Session
Here is the link to the info session. This provides you with more details on how to participate in the innovation challenge.
Step 2: Complete Mini Energy Course
Complete our Energy Systems Basics mini course – an introduction to the fundamentals of energy and the landscape of energy in Nigeria.
Step 3: Complete Application
Prospective participants are invited to submit applications detailing their motivation, relevant skills, initial project concepts, and optionally, those they want to partner with (up to 3 members per team). You can access the application form here
Frequently Asked Questions
This challenge is open to individuals, teams, and startups that are passionate about developing innovative renewable energy solutions for Nigeria. Participants from diverse backgrounds, including engineering, technology, business, and environmental science, are encouraged to apply. Members of teams are advised to apply individually.
We are seeking solutions that address key areas of Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, including grid integration, energy access, energy storage and distribution, green applications, renewable energy entrepreneurship, and sustainable infrastructure. Your solution can focus on one or multiple areas, if it contributes to the overarching goal of advancing renewable energy in Nigeria.
No, there is no fee to join. All you need is your fresh idea and your desire to put in your all to see it come to life.
While your solution can be applied nationwide, we encourage participants to consider the unique geographical and environmental conditions of different regions within Nigeria. Solutions that address the specific challenges of underserved and remote areas are particularly welcome.
Solutions will be evaluated based on their creativity and originality, demonstrated solution, relevance and feasibility, viability and sustainability, accessibility, climate positive impact, and economic impact.
Yes, selected solutions may receive funding opportunities, green entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and support to help bring them to market. Details on the funding and support available will be provided as part of the challenge announcements.
The timeline for the challenge, including key dates for submission, evaluation, and announcement of winners is 3 weeks. Deadline for submission of applications is September 27th 2024. Be sure to check the official challenge page for more updates.
Yes, the incubation programme will offer various opportunities for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among participants. This will include online forums, peer sessions, and mentorship sessions to help participants refine their ideas and connect with potential partners.
After the incubation programme ends, winning solutions will be announced and selected participants may receive support to further develop and implement their ideas. Additionally, all participants will have the opportunity to receive feedback on their submissions and explore potential partnerships or opportunities for further development.
Participants will retain ownership of their ideas and intellectual property. However, by submitting a solution, participants agree to allow the challenge organizers to use their submission for promotional purposes. Participants should also be aware of any third-party intellectual property rights before submitting their solutions.
