Energy firm, Electricity Du France (EDF) has launched the second edition of its EDF Pulse Africa competition which seeks to focus and support African innovators who have and are contributing to the continent’s energy growth.

The competition aims to support young and talented African innovators who come up with economical solutions toward giving people access to electricity in Africa by pursuing two goals. That is, identifying potential partners by unearthing the continent’s technological talents and supporting innovation by involving local entrepreneurs in the development of more innovative offerings.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, the Country Representative for EDF Ghana, Olivier Clement said he realised most young entrepreneurs struggle to get funding and expand their business, which is why EDF is supporting entrepreneurs who are already stepping up to face Africa’s future challenges.

“EDF wants to push the start-ups to go further and it’s not easy to be a start-up and just try to launch your activity. So EDF is very proud to help any start-up in Africa to develop its activity,” he said.

Starting now, African start-ups will be able to submit projects in three categories: off-grid power generation, electricity uses and services, and access to water through electrical power (farming and drinking water).

The competition is open to start-ups in all African countries, including both French and English-speaking countries. They will have until the 9th of July 2018 to submit their applications on the following website: https://africa-pulse.edf.com.

Committees made up of experts specialising in the field of innovation will select the ten most innovative projects and from this selection, the Grand Jury will award three prizes. The prize-giving ceremony will take place in Paris on the 22nd of November 2018.

About EDF Pulse Africa competition

With 50 years of experience on the African continent, EDF is actively developing low-carbon energy solutions whilst continuing to expand the continent’s electricity infrastructure. The EDF Pulse Africa initiative follows on from the EDF Pulse awards which, since being launched in 2012, have already shown the light on and supported 1500 innovation projects being developed by start-ups in France, the UK and Italy.