African students who entered a competition to find energy solutions for key urban sectors are expected to be short-listed by 28 February 2014.

Initiated by energy management firm Schneider Electric, the "Go Green in the City" challenge is a project run by students to find viable energy management solutions for one of the five main urban sectors: residential, university, commercial, water and hospital.

The challenge called on all students in engineering and business schools, Masters and MBA programmes in Africa and around the world to participate.

725 African students representing 24 countries signed up for the 2014 edition of Go Green in the City, according to a statement.

Schneider Electric said it received applications from students in countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Algeria, Ghana and Kenya.

"The young generation in Africa is increasingly aware of the mounting electricity and energy needs which go hand in hand with social progress and environmental protection. This growing interest by African students is key for Schneider Electric. The challenge lies not only in producing more electricity, but also in generating smart energy so as to enable intelligent growth in Africa", said Mohammed Saad, president of Schneider Electric in Africa.

Once the teams have been short-listed the students will have one month to work with a mentor from Schneider Electric to present a synopsis and video outlining their business case.

The top 12 teams will be invited to Paris in June 2014 to take part in the final.

The winning team will travel to various Schneider Electric sites across the world and meet with staff and management from the Group.

The team is expected to then be offered a permanent working positions within the group.