Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2027 – Up to £50,000
Applications are open for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2027, a Royal Academy of Engineering programme for entrepreneurs developing engineering solutions to sustainable development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Up to 16 shortlisted participants will join an eight-month support programme, with prize money of up to £50,000 available. The application deadline is Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at 4:00 PM UCT+1.
Quick Overview
Programme: Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2027
Opportunity Type: Engineering innovation prize and entrepreneurship programme
Organizer: Royal Academy of Engineering
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Programme Duration: Eight months
Shortlisted Participants: Up to 16
Prize Money: Up to £50,000
Deadline: Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at 4:00 PM UCT+1
About the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation supports entrepreneurs who have developed engineering-based solutions to local sustainable development challenges. The programme aims to accelerate early-stage businesses through training, mentoring, technical expertise and professional networks.
Applications are welcomed from both engineers and non-engineers. However, each proposed innovation must involve engineering in its broadest sense and demonstrate clear potential for commercial development, replication and growth.
Programme Benefits and Prize Support
Up to 16 shortlisted participants will receive a support package designed to strengthen their innovations and businesses.
Confirmed benefits include:
✓ An eight-month tailored training programme
✓ Two fully funded training weeks, including one in the United Kingdom and one in a major African city
✓ Access to business and technical expertise
✓ Sector-specific engineering mentoring
✓ Press coverage and communications support
✓ Access to the Royal Academy of Engineering’s network in Africa and the United Kingdom
✓ An opportunity for finalists to present their innovations at the Africa Prize showcase
✓ Prize money of up to £50,000
The support programme focuses on helping participants improve their technologies, commercial strategies, communication skills and business growth plans.
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Applicant Eligibility Criteria
Candidates may apply individually or on behalf of a team. When a team applies, the lead applicant must participate in the programme’s training activities.
Applicants must:
• Be citizens of a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Be ordinarily based in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Be over 18 years old when applications close.
• Have sufficient English proficiency to participate fully in the programme.
• Submit the application in English.
• Meet the requirements connected to the proposed innovation.
Applicants temporarily based outside sub-Saharan Africa for study or another temporary reason may still qualify.
There is no upper age limit. Applicants also do not need to hold an engineering degree or be studying engineering.
Applicants Who Cannot Apply
The following applicants are not eligible:
• Previous Africa Prize participants
• Members of the same team, business or innovation that previously participated in the Africa Prize
• Industrial researchers and industrial establishments
• Alumni of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Advance programme
• Leaders in Innovation Fellowship alumni who participated after June 2024
Leaders in Innovation Fellowship alumni who participated before June 2024 may be eligible. However, they must explain why the Africa Prize is necessary and how it would add value to their business.
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be citizens of and ordinarily based in an eligible sub-Saharan African country.
The programme’s eligible countries are:
• Angola
• Benin
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cabo Verde
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Republic of the Congo
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Senegal
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
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Innovation Eligibility Criteria
The proposed innovation must be based in a sub-Saharan African country. It may be a product, technology or service connected to any area of engineering.
Eligible fields may include:
• Agricultural technology
• Biotechnology
• Chemical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Computer science
• Design engineering
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Information and communications technology
• Materials science
• Mechanical engineering
• Medical engineering
The innovation does not have to introduce completely new technology. Applicants may propose an adaptation of existing technology or its first application in a new market.
Commercialisation Requirements
The innovation must be beyond the initial idea stage and in the early stages of commercialisation.
It must:
• Deliver social and/or environmental benefits in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Have strong potential to be replicated and scaled.
• Be supported by an ambitious but realistic business plan.
• Demonstrate strong commercial viability.
• Include a technical diagram and photograph showing its technical features.
• Include consent from relevant intellectual property originators or collaborators where applicable.
Hardware-Based Innovations
Hardware applicants should have:
• One or more working prototypes demonstrating the technical concept and performance
• A design developed sufficiently for initial commercial production
• Realistic manufacturing cost and schedule estimates
• Evidence that an early version has gained interest from enough potential customers to support initial revenue and profitability projections
Software-Based Innovations
Software applicants should have:
• A minimum viable product with demonstrable functionality
• Evidence that the product is gaining sufficient interest from potential customers to support initial revenue and profitability projections
Application Process
The Africa Prize uses a two-stage application process.
Stage One
Stage One is open to all eligible applicants. Candidates provide information about themselves, their team and their innovation.
The form takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Applicants are expected to submit:
• A curriculum vitae
• Technical documentation
• Images of the innovation
• Videos demonstrating the innovation
• Valid supporting documents
• Information about the innovation and team
• Evidence confirming basic eligibility
Two technical experts from the Academy’s network review each eligible application. They assess the technological viability and credibility of the engineering solution.
Applicants with the highest assessment scores will be invited to Stage Two.
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Stage Two
Only longlisted applicants may complete Stage Two.
This stage requires more detailed information about:
• The business plan
• Market analysis
• Financial projections
• Commercialisation strategy
A panel of expert judges reviews the Stage Two applications. Successful candidates are shortlisted for the Africa Prize and invited to join the eight-month programme.
Online Information Sessions
The Africa Prize team will hold online sessions explaining the application process and the features of a strong application. Participants may also ask questions during these sessions.
The published sessions are:
• Thursday, 23 July 2026, from 11:00–12:00 UCT+1, delivered in English and French
• Wednesday, 12 August 2026, from 13:00–14:00 UCT+1
• Tuesday, 25 August 2026, from 11:00–12:00 UCT+1
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2027 is:
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at 4:00 PM UCT+1
Applicants must submit Stage One through the Royal Academy of Engineering Grant Management System. Within the system, candidates should select Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2026/2027 Stage 1. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for Stage Two.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application portal below.
