INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR CLEANTECH ENTERPRISES UNDER THE REA INCUBATION HUB

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), through the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), continues to drive innovation and sustainability in Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector. In line with this mandate, the Agency is establishing the REA Incubation Hub, a platform designed to identify, nurture, and accelerate Small and Medium cleantech enterprises with scalable solutions for rural electrification and low-carbon development.

The Hub is aligned with national clean energy and climate action objectives. It aims to bridge the gap between early-stage cleantech innovators and the support they need to scale, including access to mentorship, technical capacity building, and investor readiness and possible startup grants.

This invitation for pre-qualification seeks to identify eligible cleantech enterprises for participation in the REA Incubation Hub. Selected enterprises will have the opportunity to benefit from the Hub’s structured incubation program, positioning them for future access to start-up grants and strategic partnerships. The objective of this pre-qualification process is to ensure that the most promising and impactful cleantech enterprises are identified through a transparent and competitive evaluation process.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) invites interested and qualified cleantech enterprises to register their interest in participating in the REA Incubation Hub. This pre-qualification process seeks to identify enterprises with innovative, scalable, and impactful clean energy solutions that can contribute to Nigeria’s energy access and low-carbon development goals.

This invitation is open exclusively to cleantech enterprises operating in any of the following categories:

• Lot 1: Energy Efficiency Innovations – Solutions that reduce energy consumption in products or processes, including energy-efficient appliances, industrial machinery, or cooling systems.

• Lot 2: Renewable Energy Innovations – Solutions that generate clean energy from renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, or biomass technologies.

• Lot 3: Productive Use of Energy Innovations – Solutions that enable productive economic activities powered by clean energy, including solar-powered cold storage, irrigation systems, or industrial equipment.

Eligible enterprises are requested to submit applications in any ONE of the above demonstrating the technical feasibility, innovation, and potential socio-economic impact of their solutions. Pre-qualified enterprises will be considered for participation in the REA Incubation Hub, where they may access mentorship, technical guidance, and opportunities for start-up grants to support scaling and commercialization of their solutions.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Documents Required for Pre-Qualification

Small and Medium scale enterprises (1-5 years preferably) are required to submit genuine copies of the following documents as proof of eligibility:

a. Evidence of registration of the business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

b. Evidence of registration with a relevant tax authority in Nigeria, including a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

c. Statement of financial affairs.

d. Sworn Affidavit confirming:

i. For Joint Venture (JV) partnerships, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and sworn affidavits for each partner must be provided.

ii. The enterprise is not in receipt of, nor the subject of, any form of insolvency, bankruptcy, or winding-up proceedings.

iii. No director has been convicted in any country for fraud, corruption, or financial impropriety.

iv. Disclosure of any pecuniary interest of any REA staff or implementing entity in the enterprise.

v. All information submitted in the application is true and correct in all particulars.

e. A duly executed Board Resolution or Power of Attorney authorizing a designated CEO/COO to act on behalf of the enterprise in all matters with REA, signed by the chairman and secretary.

f. Two reference letters from professional contacts who have known the applicant for at least two years.

g. A covering/forwarding letter on the company’s letterhead, including:

i. CAC registration number (RC)

ii. Contact address, telephone number, and email address

iii. Names and nationalities of directors

iv. Signature of the authorized representative

3.2 Company and Technology Requirements

Applicants are required to fulfill the following and provide supporting documents:

a. A detailed corporate profile showing the company’s operational and service areas.

b. Overview of personnel/staff involved in the business, including organizational chart, CEO, directors, and key technical/management personnel with CVs. In addition:

i. Gender inclusion in administration (special consideration for female-led enterprises or at least 35% female representation in managerial roles).

ii.Youth inclusion in administration (special consideration for at least 35% youth representation in managerial roles).

iii. At least two experts (at least one female) with a minimum of three years’ experience relevant to the implementation of the chosen clean-tech solution.

iv. Disclosure of any pecuniary interest of any REA staff or implementing entity in the enterprise.

c. Submission of a business proposal including:

i. Stating the reason for the chosen lot (Lot 1 – Energy Efficiency, Lot 2 – Renewable Energy, Lot 3 – Productive Use of Energy).

ii.Demonstrating a critical need for the technology (e.g., carbon/GWP reduction, energy efficiency, job creation, rural/urban development).

iii. Stating a critical need for financial aid and addressing the key areas for intervention.

iv. Identifying value additions, including business models, cost comparisons, technological advantages, or differentiation from existing alternatives.

v. Demonstrating profit potential and sustainability without reliance on continuous subsidies, supported by market demand assessment or market survey.

vi. Demonstrating consideration of direct and indirect carbon emissions in the design and deployment of the solution.

vii. Proof of ownership or legal authority to deploy the technology (e.g., patent, patent application, or authorization from patent owner).

4.0 RESPONSE TO INVITATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION

4.1 Interested cleantech enterprises are required to submit their CAC and TIN documents via email to ref.info@rea.gov.ng as the first step in the pre-qualification process. Upon receipt, applicants will receive a confirmation email from the REF team acknowledging their expression of interest. Submission of Applications commences on December 8th and ends on December 22nd, 2025.

4.2 Following this confirmation, applicants will receive a standardized pre-qualification template along with additional instructions and required attachments. Applicants must complete the template in full and compile all supporting documents in line with the eligibility requirements stated in this advert.

4.3 Completed applications should then be submitted through the appropriate channel ref.info@rea.gov.ng after which applicants will receive an acknowledgment email confirming successful submission.

4.4 The deadline for submission of completed pre-qualification applications is two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this advert. Late submissions will not be accepted.

5.0 OPENING OF PREQUALIFICATION RESPONSES

Further information on the opening will be provided on the platform to each applicant upon submission of the application

6.0 EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS

6.1 The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will evaluate all pre-qualification applications using the criteria outlined in this document to determine the suitability of applicants for participation in the REA Incubation Hub.

6.2 The evaluation will focus on compliance with eligibility requirements, the technical feasibility of the proposed solution, and the potential socio-economic impact of the cleantech enterprise. Key considerations include:

• Alignment with the chosen lot

• Innovativeness and scalability of the technology or solution

• Market potential and sustainability without reliance on continuous subsidies

• Organizational capacity, including technical and managerial expertise

• Inclusion of gender and youth in administration and operational roles

6.3 Applications that meet the preliminary evaluation criteria will be pre-qualified and invited to proceed to the next stage of the REA Incubation Hub program.

6.4 All applicants will receive formal notification via email and the web platform regarding the outcome of the evaluation. Successful applicants will be provided with instructions and timelines for participation in subsequent program activities, including mentorship, technical guidance, and grant consideration.

7.0 IMPORTANT GENERAL INFORMATION

7.1 All pre-qualification submissions must be in English and signed by an authorized representative of the cleantech enterprise.

7.2 Each cleantech enterprise may submit only one application under a single lot. Multiple submissions by the same enterprise will not be considered.

7.3 Applications must be complete, accurate, and submitted via the provided email platform ref.info@rea.gov.ng before the stated deadline. Incomplete or late submissions will be rejected.

7.4 REA reserves the right to verify the authenticity of all information and documentation submitted. Misrepresentation or submission of fraudulent information will result in disqualification.

7.5 Participation in the pre-qualification process does not guarantee admission into the REA Incubation Hub. Successful pre-qualification allows enterprises to proceed to the next stage of program activities.

7.6 All communications regarding the pre-qualification process will be conducted via the e-Application Portal and official REA channels. Applicants are responsible for regularly checking their email and the platform for updates.

4.4 The deadline for submission of completed pre-qualification applications is two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this advert. Late submissions will not be accepted.

tructured incubation program, positioning them for future access to start-up grants and strategic partnerships. The objective of this pre-qualification process is to ensure that the most promising and impactful cleantech enterprises are identified through a transparent and competitive evaluation process.