The 2026 Global LEAP Awards for Repairability aims to identify and promote innovative business models and practices to strengthen and improve repair systems for productive use appliances, especially in off- and weak-grid contexts.
Across many emerging markets, productive use appliances are playing a critical role in expanding access to energy for households, farmers, and small businesses. These technologies support livelihoods, improve productivity, and enable essential services in off- and weak-grid settings. However, when appliances are faulty or stop working, repair services are often difficult to access, leaving many products unused long before the end of their expected lifespan.
Research shows that nearly 75% of solar energy products that stop functioning are never repaired, highlighting a significant gap in how repair systems operate across markets. According to the Off-Grid Appliance Repair Series, repair systems are often informal and uncoordinated, with limited access to spare parts, technical expertise, and reliable service networks. As a result, even minor faults can render appliances unusable, reducing their long-term value and impact.
This challenge has wide-reaching consequences. When appliances cannot be repaired, households and businesses lose income, productivity is disrupted, and investments in energy access fail to deliver sustained benefits. Over time, this weakens consumer trust, increases waste, and limits the growth of appliance markets. Strengthening repair systems is therefore essential to extending product lifespans, supporting circular economy approaches, and ensuring appliances continue delivering reliable value.
The 2026 Global LEAP Awards for Repairability respond to this challenge by identifying and supporting practical solutions that improve how repair systems function in real-world settings. By strengthening repair ecosystems, the Awards aim to ensure appliances remain in use for longer, deliver consistent benefits to users, and contribute to more sustainable and resilient markets.
The 2026 Global LEAP Awards for Repairability aims to identify and promote innovative repair business models and practices that strengthen repair systems for productive use appliances, specifically solar water pumps, refrigerators, and fans, for energy-constrained settings from companies operating in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and India. The Awards will support practical, readily actionable, high-impact solutions that address key gaps, promote best practices, and contribute to more circular and resilient appliance markets.
The 2026 Award will feature:
1. Opportunity for productive use appliance companies and other specialized repair service providers for PUE to propose innovative, readily actionable, high-impact solutions towards improving their repair models.
2. Cash Awards of up to $15,000 per successful participant to implement their proposed repair model improvement solutions.
3. Visibility and promotion through spotlight profiles and sector platforms such as the Off-Grid Solar Repair Lab, highlighting successful approaches and lessons learned to inform the broader market ecosystem.
Application Form
Awards Process
Awards Timeline
Webinar Information
An informational webinar was held on 8 April 2026 to provide an overview of the competition, covering the eligibility criteria, nomination process, administration, and evaluation procedures. You can watch the recording and download the presentation slides.
Contact Details
If you have any general questions or information about the Awards, you can contact the program team at globalleap@efficiencyforaccess.org.
