Application Closed. Entries are being reviewed
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Application Closed. Entries are being reviewed |
Asharami M.A.D Equation
Solving for Sahara Beyond XXX
About Asharami M.A.D Equation
The Asharami M.A.D Equation: Solving for Sahara Beyond XXX, is a platform designed to transform research into real-world impact.
The initiative bridges the gap between academic insight and industry application by supporting research that delivers practical, scalable, and ESG-aligned solutions for the energy sector.
It reflects our commitment to shaping Africa’s energy future; not just through ideas, but through solutions that can be implemented, measured, and scaled across our operations.
Across Africa, groundbreaking research is happening, yet too few ideas make it beyond journals and into real-world application.
The Asharami M.A.D Equation exists to change that. By connecting academia with industry challenges, the initiative unlocks: Practical innovation that solves real operational problems, sustainable solutions aligned with global energy transition goals, and a new generation of researchers driving Africa’s energy future. Because the challenge is no longer ideas; it’s execution at scale.
WHY IT MATTERS
Objectives
Drive Applied Innovation
Encourage research that solves real-world energy challenges
Advanced ESG Priorities
Promote cleaner, more efficient, and resilient energy systems
Enable Real World Adoption
Support viable ideas toward integration into Sahara’s operations
Recognise Excellence
Reward originality, impact, and implementation potential
Building Future Talent Pipeline
Equipped innovators to drive sustainable transformation in Nigeria’s energy sector
Research Themes
The Asharami M.A.D Equation is intentionally designed for African Innovators whose work offers the depth, analytical rigor, and innovation maturity required to address complex challenges across Sahara’s E&P and power businesses.
Oil and Gas Sector-
Upstream oil and gas flowstation operations; from wellhead through separation, metering, storage and export are managed without digital monitoring infrastructure. Operational data is captured manually, making it difficult to detect anomalies, volume losses, or equipment performance deviations in real time. Research must propose a cost-effective, field-deployable architecture suited to the realities of remote and low-connectivity field environments.scription text goes here
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Upstream operations run all rotating equipment and power generators on a run-to-failure model with no condition monitoring and no early warning before failure occurs. Export pump or generator failure can halt production for days. Research must propose practical, cost-effective approaches to retrofit critical equipment with self-contained sensing and AI-processing devices that detect degradation in real time and enable planned intervention.
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A heavy oil field holds a commercially viable resource, but the crude's high viscosity at reservoir and surface conditions prevents development without a defined flow assurance strategy. No fluid characterisation, artificial lift design, flowline design, or evacuation concept currently exists. Research must define a technically sound and commercially viable flow assurance pathway from reservoir to custody transfer.es here
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Ageing steam turbine power plants are affected by creep, thermal fatigue, fouling, scaling, and material wear – resulting in declining reliability, reduced thermal efficiency, increased fuel consumption, higher emissions, and rising maintenance costs. Current maintenance is reactive or schedule-based. Research must propose advanced monitoring systems and process optimisation approaches that address these degradation patterns.
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Gas-fired power plants operate within a complex value chain constrained by gas supply instability, chronic liquidity shortfalls, and transmission and distribution limitations. Despite significant installed capacity, actual generation remains consistently below potential. Research must address one or more of these structural constraints to enable plants to operate closer to installed capacity and improve financial sustainability across the power value chain.
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Distribution networks rely on manual processes and conventional switching that often result in feeder-wide outages. Localised faults, switching requirements, or load interventions at a single point can escalate into wider network disturbances due to limited flexibility and control. Research must propose practical, scalable solutions that improve network stability, reduce outages, and increase real-time operational visibility.
POWER SectorHow it Works
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Sahara identifies real operational needs
Step 1-
Innovators submit implementable innovations aligned with the research themes
Step 2-
Submissions are assessed for relevance, feasibility, and scalability
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Viable solutions are awarded and celebrated
Step 4-
Viable Solutions are implemented within Sahara’s operations
Step 5APPLICATION PROCESSWho Can Apply
Innovators from within the African continent
Innovators whose innovations align with the research themes
Innovators whose innovations are implementable within Sahara's E&P or power businesses
Innovators from postgraduate applied research (MSc and PhD level) and beyond
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through this website. Submissions made by email or any other channel will NOT be accepted
Application Checklist
Applications are submitted through this website. Submissions made by email or any other channel will NOT be accepted
Completed online application form(including full name, email, institution, academic level, and research title)
Concept note: maximum 20 pages in PDF format, summarising the research idea, objectives, expected outcomes, and relevance to the research themes
Applicant CV – PDF format
Institutional endorsement letter: signed by your Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, or Director of Research & Innovation, or Intellectual Property Office, or head of other accredited research institute, confirming authorship of the research
Declaration of originality: checked on the application form
Supporting documents (optional: maximum 5 PDF files, additional data, references, visuals illustrating research potential)
Solving Africa’s Energy Challenges, one idea at a time
Africa’s energy future deserves solutions built by Africans.
This is your chance to contribute to the future of energy in Africa, your opportunity to turn insights into impact.
Awards & Recognitions
Beyond funding, selected ideas gain access to mentorship, technical support, and pathways to real-world implementation.
Outstanding innovations will be awarded FIRST PRIZE$25,000
SECOND PRIZE$15,000
THIRD PRIZE$10,000
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Initiative
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The Asharami M.A.D Equation is a competitive applied research initiative launched by Sahara Group in commemoration of its 30th Anniversary. It invites innovators, researchers and research teams from Nigeria and other emerging-economies in Africa to submit well researched solutions that address specific, real operational challenges within Sahara's E&P and Power businesses.
The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and practical industry application – taking ideas from laboratories, thesis, and journals and channeling them into solutions that can actually be implemented within Sahara's operations.
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M.A.D stands for Making A Difference. The Asharami M.A.D Equation is Sahara's challenge to innovators: can you solve current problems in preparation for the future? The 'equation' is the gap between what Africa’s energy sector needs and what currently exists – and innovators/researchers are invited to help solve it.
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Sahara Group is commemorating its 30th Anniversary and leveraging this milestone to invest in Africa’s intellectual capital. Significant research is conducted across African universities and research centres on energy challenges (operational and strategic), but many of those ideas never make it beyond academic journals. At the same time, just like every other growing business, Sahara's businesses face real, identified operational challenges that applied research could help solve as the company evolves beyond 30 years of operation.
The Asharami M.A.D Equation creates a direct pathway between those two realities: directing the best innovative minds toward challenges that matter to the business and rewarding Implementable solutions .
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It is a competitive applied research award. It is not a scholarship for ongoing studies, neither is it an open research grant. Researchers/Innovators submit existing or advanced-stage applied research that addresses one of the defined thematic areas. The top three implementable solutions are selected through a structured evaluation and defence process and receive cash awards.
Themes
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There are six research themes across two sectors.
Oil & Gas:
Upstream Flowstation Digitalisation & Real-Time Production Monitoring
Predictive Maintenance & Condition Monitoring for Upstream Rotating Equipment
Heavy Oil Flow Assurance & Field Development Strategy
Power:
Ageing Thermal Asset Reliability, Predictive Maintenance & Process Optimisation
Reliable Power Generation amid Gas, Grid & Market Constraints
Improving Network Stability & Resilience in Distribution Systems
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Yes. If your research genuinely spans more than one theme, you may address multiple themes in a single proposal. However, each theme addressed must be substantively covered. A proposal cannot claim relevance to multiple themes simply to increase its chances. Proposals are scored against the most applicable theme.
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Yes, your research must be applicable to Sahara’s operations in line with at least one of the research themes.
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No. Each proposal/submission must address at least one of the research themes. Proposals on topics outside these themes will be disqualified.
Prizes and Recognition
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Prizes are awarded and disbursed at or following the public announcement, at the close of the rigorous evaluation process.
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If a research team wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, the prize will be given to the team and not to each individual on the team.
Eligibility
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No. The initiative is specifically designed for postgraduate applied research – MSc and PhD level and beyond, only. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
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The programme is open to innovators and researchers in Africa.
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Yes. Research teams are welcome to make one submission as a team. The application must be submitted by the lead researcher who meets the eligibility criteria. All team members must be identified in the application, and the institutional endorsement (where applicable) must cover the team's joint authorship of the research solution.
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No. Existing MSc or PhD research that are original, proven or at an advanced concept stage, and not yet commercialised are eligible. The research does not need to have been conducted with this initiative in mind. However, it must specifically address one of the research themes and demonstrate clear applicability to the operational challenge described under that research theme.
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Yes, provided the research solution has not received a prior award from another organisation, and the research solution has not been commercialised. Publication in an academic journal does not disqualify a rsubmission.
How to Apply
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A complete application includes:
Completed online application form (including full name, email, institution, academic level, and research title)
Concept note – maximum 20 pages in PDF format, summarising the research idea, objectives, expected outcomes, and relevance to the research themes
Applicant CV – PDF format
Institutional endorsement letter – signed by your Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, or Director of Research & Innovation or Intellectual Property Office, or head of other accredited research institute confirming authorship of the research (where applicable)
Declaration of originality – checked on the application form
Supporting documents – optional, maximum 5 PDF files (additional data, references, visuals illustrating research potential)
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There is no minimum word count requirement in the submission rules. However, concept notes with very limited substantive content may be flagged during screening as potentially insufficient to demonstrate the depth required for evaluation. A strong proposal is expected to contain substantive content across all required sections not exceeding 20 pages.
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The endorsement must be signed by a senior institutional authority who can confirm your authorship of the research. Acceptable signatories are: Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, Director of Research & Innovation, or Director of the Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer Office or similar role.
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The application window is open for three weeks from the official launch date of June 1, 2026. The portal closes at 11:59PM on June 20, 2026. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
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Once a submission is made through the portal, it is final. Applicants are strongly advised to review all documents thoroughly before submitting.
Intellectual Property & Commercialisation
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All Submissions provided by the Participant to Sahara remain the intellectual property of the Participant, unless the Submission is selected by Sahara. For Submissions that are selected and declared a winner in the Competition, the Participant agrees to transfer to Sahara any registered intellectual property rights (e.g., patents, copyrights, trademarks) in the Submission. The transfer shall be deemed to be effective upon selection, and the Participant shall cooperate in executing any documents necessary to perfect such rights.
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No. Only research solutions submitted by the top three winning applicants will be considered for further engagement. Proposals that do not win will not be utilized by Sahara unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. All submissions shall be treated as confidential.
A SAHARA GROUP INITIATIVE