11 African Innovators Win Energy Challenge Pitch Spot

Africa's brightest clean energy innovators just earned their shot at transforming the continent's sustainable future.

The Africa Centre for Energy Policy and Africa Change Lab announced eleven finalists for the Future of Energy Conference 2026 Innovation Challenge. These entrepreneurs from across Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana will present their solutions to policymakers and investors in Accra on August 25-26.

The competition drew applications from innovators, researchers, and engineers across Africa. Judges selected finalists across two categories: the Pan-African Low Carbon Track and the AfroHackathon Track.

Five finalists in the Low Carbon Track are tackling food security and agriculture. Nigeria's Blessing Unoka developed a solar-powered food processing system that converts waste into energy through biodigesters. Kenya's Godfrey Noel created AgriKonnekt, which brings climate finance to smallholder farmers even without internet access. Fellow Kenyan Tracy Achieng designed KilimoChills, a cold storage solution for farmers.

Also advancing are Kenya's Rhyl Kiio, who built a pay-as-you-go biogas system for off-grid communities, and Tanzania's Tatu Kassim, who transforms banana waste into biodegradable packaging.

The six AfroHackathon finalists focus on battery recycling and energy storage. Nigeria's AbdulBasit Bashir created AfreVolt, a circular battery solution, while Joshua Ebinabo War designed Lenol, a network of solar-powered battery swapping hubs in urban markets.

Kenya's Brian Mwai developed REVLOG to safely recover and repurpose retired lithium batteries. Ghana's Christopher Amewuho built AfroCycle for closed-loop battery recycling and mineral recovery. Tanzania's Modester Nanyunga designed solar battery swapping systems for fishing communities, and Kenya's Priscila Adhiambo created second-life battery modules for off-grid cold storage.

The Ripple Effect

These innovations address multiple challenges at once. Solar-powered cold storage helps farmers preserve crops and earn more income. Battery recycling keeps toxic materials out of landfills while recovering valuable minerals. Off-grid energy solutions bring electricity to communities that major utilities haven't reached.

The finalists will receive mentorship and preparation support before their final presentations. Winners gain access to potential investors, development partners, and industry leaders who can help scale their solutions across the continent.

The United Nations Development Programme supports the challenge through its Timbuktou Initiative, which strengthens African innovation ecosystems. This backing signals growing recognition that homegrown African solutions are key to the continent's sustainable development.

From waste-to-energy systems to community-owned solar hubs, these eleven innovators prove Africa's clean energy transition is already underway.