EEP Africa Project of the Year 2026: Call for Nominations
The Project of the Year award recognizes outstanding achievement or innovation by an EEP Africa portfolio company during 2026. 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 20 November 2026.
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 2027. 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 2027, 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 2026 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
- Demonstrating strong growth momentum, progress toward commercial scale, and/or significant sales growth.
- 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).
- Actively building strategic partnerships which drive business growth.
- Developing and testing innovative approaches.
- 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 2026. 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 2026 award will be presented at the EEP Africa Knowledge Week in February 2027.
DEADLINE: Submit your self-nomination by 20 November 2026.
