Through the EDF Pulse Africa awards, EDF supports the entrepreneurial spirit in Africa by identifying new partners and stimulating the development of innovative, low-carbon and local energy solutions.
  • 54

    African countries included in the competition

  • 536

    projects submitted in 2019 (107 in 2017)

  • €5,000 to €15,000

    in financial awards for the winners

The low-carbon economy is a tremendous opportunity for growth and development for African countries. Through the EDF Pulse Africa competition, launched in 2017, the EDF Group is aiming to identify new potential partners for the development of energy projects in Africa and to stimulate the development of innovative solutions.

Supporting African start-ups that are committed to the development of energy on the continent

EDF Pulse Africa helps award-winning start-ups move from the project stage to commercial deployment through a comprehensive support programme: operational and financial advice, access to experts, including the Group's R&D and 30 innovation centres, project development partnerships, etc. This approach is long-term and allows EDF to meet potential future partners, or even to acquire stakes in African companies. EDF Pulse Africa covers 54 African countries, both English and French speaking, and its success is increasing.

In 2019, EDF Pulse Africa rewarded the work of an Ivorian start-up, LIFILED, which offers rural populations a 3-in-1 solution combining access to off-grid electricity, internet and educational content on agricultural know-how.