Digital Energy Challenge 2025: Five projects recognised in Dakar

Launched in 2021 by AFD and funded by the European Union, the Digital Energy Challenge aims to support the digitalisation of electrical power systems by fostering collaboration between start-ups, innovative technology providers and national energy operators. The Challenge has since been reinforced under the European Union's Global Gateway strategy, with its integration into the Digital and Green Innovation Action, a Team Europe initiative, providing additional resources to further amplify its impact. To date, the programme has successfully supported 41 projects across 18 countries in Africa.

The 2025 laureates will now receive dedicated financial support, tailored technical assistance, and increased visibility to accelerate the deployment of their solutions and maximise their impact on energy access and quality of service across the continent. The winners wil also reinforce the Digital Energy Community, which now serves as a platform for ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Selected from 207 applications from 34 countries, the five winning projects of the 2025 edition are:

•    GIVE – PowerPay Africa a Kenyan startup who developed an IoT and blockchain platform to accurately measure avoided emissions and generate certified carbon credits. The solution aims to finance the rollout of clean stoves through transparent and verifiable carbon mechanisms, in partnership with mini-grid developer We Light in Madagascar.

•    Metavolt Energie in collaboration with Nghezo both based in Burkina Faso, whose cloud-based platform will help expand affordable, reliable energy access though an Energy-as-a-Service model with remote monitoring, control and predictive maintenance of off-grid solar systems.

•    PAM Africa, a Nigerian startup whose solution boosts energy access and grid performance via a unified digital platform that combines smart metering, AI-based demand response, payment automation and customer CRM.

•    Stima Mobility based in Kenya, proposes an advanced analytics platform for stationary and mobile batteries. The platform analyzes performance, detects risks, early on and provides reliable data for certification and financing. The project aims to increase the reliability and lifespan of energy equipment.  

•    Roseau Technologies based in France will partner with Senelec, Senegal’s leading energy provider, and develop a platform that  facilitates demand fulfilment, optimizes work monitoring, and improves the management of new grid connections. The platform will cover the entire process: customer portal, application submission, technical studies and work planning.

Speaking at the ceremony, Thierno Oumar Kane, Secretary-General, Senelec, underlined the significance of digital transformation for national utilities: “The solution developed by Roseau Technologies is fully aligned with the company’s strategic priorities. As our customer base has grown to over 2 million and renewables now represent almost a third of our energy mix, the digitalisation of our processes is essential. Their platform will support the implementation of our projects, notably Paderau, which addresses key objectives such as customer mapping, optimisation of network works and connection management. The innovative solution will help us expand reliable electricity access, particularly in fast-growing rural areas in Senegal.”

From the perspective of development partners, Nicolas Guichard, Head of Energy unit at AFD, emphasised the transformative potential of digital technologies: “Digital transformation is essential to achieving energy-access objectives for distribution networks under the Mission 300 initiative. It enables better management of distribution grids, greater integration of renewable energy, and stronger commercial performance for electricity operators. The 41 projects supported since 2021 by Digital Energy demonstrate just how profoundly innovation can transform an entire system. Whether reducing technical losses, improving service quality, or facilitating the integration of solar power and storage, this year’s laureates are helping to build more resilient, low-carbon electricity systems across Africa.”

Simon Vanden Broeke representing EU Delegation Ambassador added: “The European Union's Global Gateway strategy embodies a collaborative spirit to tackle global challenges. The strategy emphasizes "climate and energy" and "digital" as essential areas of investment, guiding our joint efforts with partner countries towards a sustainable digital and green transition.  The Digital Energy Facility is a successful example of fostering innovative solutions who have leveraged digital technologies to develop cutting-edge applications for energy management. This year, we are proud to award four startups that have proposed diverse and impactful initiatives, ranging from advancements in utility management through tailored AI-driven tools to platforms for monitoring battery fleets, and more – each addressing vital aspects of energy challenges in Africa.”

About the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy :

Global Gateway is the European Union's strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.
Global Gateway is fully aligned with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Paris Agreement.
Since 2021, Team Europe has mobilised over €306 billion of investments. Through the 'Team Europe approach', Global Gateway bring together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions to mobilise the private sector to leverage investments for a transformational impact.
 

Contact Press AFD :
Sophie Noël / noels@afd.fr