The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, is Africa’s biggest prize dedicated to engineering innovation. The Prize awards commercialization support to African innovators developing scalable engineering solutions to local challenges. These innovations show the importance of engineering in improving quality of life and economic development.
All applications must be submitted via the online grants system. Applicants should ensure they read the guidance notes as well as the FAQ and eligibility pages before submitting their application.
To apply for the Africa Prize you must first register an account on our Grant Management System (GMS) which you will be prompted to do. Once in GMS, please select ‘Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2024/2025 to start your application.
The Africa Prize is looking for engineers and entrepreneurs who have developed or are in the process of developing, a new technological innovation. Applicants should have the ambition to take a leading role in creating a new business to commercialize this innovation. Innovations must aim to promote the welfare and economic development of a country or countries in sub–Saharan Africa and be designed to address a development need or specific challenge facing that country
The Africa Prize offers a unique benefits package for up to 16 shortlisted participants to help accelerate their business including:
Access to business and technical expertise and sector-specific engineering mentoring.
Bespoke press coverage and communications support.
Eight-month tailored training program.
Access to the Academy’s network of high-profile engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa.
The opportunity for finalists to present their innovation to a judging panel at the Africa Prize showcase event.
Prize money of up to £25,000.
Accelerating business growth for African engineering start-ups
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation was launched in March 2014 to stimulate, celebrate and reward innovation and entrepreneurship across sub-Saharan Africa.
Since then it has provided invaluable training, mentoring and communications support to 149 businesses across 23 countries. It also has an established alumni programwith 71% of Africa Prize alumni currently generating revenue. Our alumni have also raised $39 million in grants and equity.
