EEP Africa Project of the Year 2025: Call for Nominations
The Project of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement or innovation by an EEP Africa portfolio company during 2025. The award is split into two categories to better reflect the different maturity of the companies. The Start Up category seeks to recognise a company that is still at an early stage but succeeding in innovation or opening the market. The Scale Up category seeks to recognise a company that is growing and on their way to broader impact. The nomination deadline is 5 December 2025.
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to present their business case and achievements to a jury panel of experts during an online pitching session in the beginning of 2026. The award will be celebrated at the EEP Africa Knowledge Week and be promoted across social media. Additionally, the winner will be sponsored to attend a relevant sector event in 2026, with efforts to secure a speaking opportunity for added visibility.
Who is eligible?
Any project developer that has had an active EEP Africa funded project running in 2020 or later is eligible to nominate themselves. Local and women-led companies are encouraged to submit a nomination.
What do we look for?
Significant and verifiable achievement during 2025 in terms of innovation, delivery, impact and/or fundraising. We’re looking for a company with a success story that needs to be told!
Scale up characteristics
- Significant scaling in sales
- Significant (mostly) non-grant fundraising
- Geographic expansion
- Active in forming meaningful partnerships that take the business forward.
Start up characteristics
- Demonstrate resilience and active problem solving in a challenging environment (entrepreneurial spirit and good team).
- Active in forming meaningful partnerships that take the business forward.
- Early proof of finding the market fit or successful pivoting.
- Early fundraising success.
- Good communications with EEP Africa during their grant period.
How to apply?
Fill out an online application form describing your key achievements in 2025. Include contact information for one external reference (i.e. partner, investor, donor). Upload no more than 3 supporting files (photo, video, brochure) that document your achievement.
When will the winner be announced?
The 2025 award will be presented at the EEP Africa Knowledge Week during 10-12 February 2026.
DEADLINE: Submit your self-nomination by 5 December 2025.
