Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (Royal Academy of Engineering)
Royal Academy of Engineering
Africa's biggest engineering-innovation prize: up to 16 shortlisted sub-Saharan African innovators get eight months of training and mentoring; the winner receives GBP 50,000, three runners-up GBP 10,000 each. 2027 applications close 8 Sept 2026, 16:00 UTC+1. Ghanaians eligible.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Sub saharan africa
- Education required
- None
- Age
- from 18 (Must be over 18 when applications close on 8 September 2026)
- Fields
- Engineering, Stem, Entrepreneurship
- Residency
- Ordinarily based in sub-Saharan Africa (temporary residence overseas for study is acceptable)
- Also required
- Innovation must be based on any area of engineering (broadly defined), beyond ideation and in early stages of commercialisation
- Apply as an individual or on behalf of a team
- Submit a gender equality statement with the application
About this opportunity
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, run by the UK's Royal Academy of Engineering, helps engineers and innovators in sub-Saharan Africa commercialise scalable solutions to local challenges. Up to 16 shortlisted innovators get eight months of training, financial-modelling coaching, engineering mentoring, in-person training weeks and communications support before a final pitch. The winner receives GBP 50,000, three runners-up GBP 10,000 each and an audience-vote 'One to Watch' GBP 5,000.
Applicants must be citizens of a sub-Saharan African country (Ghana is listed), over 18 when applications close, ordinarily based in sub-Saharan Africa, applying alone or for a team with an engineering-based innovation beyond ideation and in early commercialisation. Stage 1 closes 8 September 2026; long-listed applicants complete a business assessment by 6 November 2026.
- Level
- Any level
- Where
- Multiple countries
- Duration
- Eight-month training and mentoring programme for shortlisted innovators (2027 cohort), ending with a final pitch event
- Number of awards
- Up to 16 shortlisted; 1 winner (GBP 50,000), 3 runners-up (GBP 10,000 each), 1 One-to-Watch audience award (GBP 5,000)
- Difficulty
- High · about 4 weeks to prepare
Funding
Prize
- prize money
- training
GBP 50,000 winner; GBP 10,000 x 3 runners-up; GBP 5,000 One-to-Watch; all shortlisted receive eight months of training, coaching, mentoring and press support
What you will need
- CV / résumé
- Portfolio
- Video submission
- Project or business proposal
- Other documents
Stage 1 online form with CV (max 2 pages), technical diagrams, photos/videos of prototype or product, pitch deck (5-10 slides), one supporting validation document and a gender equality statement.
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