The Royal Academy of Engineering is now accepting applications for the 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, Africa’s most prestigious award dedicated to scaling impactful engineering solutions. The prize supports African innovators whose work addresses local challenges through scalable, life-changing technologies.
Founded in 2014, the Africa Prize is not only a platform for recognition but also offers training, mentorship, and funding opportunities to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative engineering ideas across sub-Saharan Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
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Be citizens of a sub-Saharan African country (for teams, the lead applicant must meet this criterion).
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Be ordinarily based in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Be at least 18 years old by 23 September 2025.
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Submit applications written in English and demonstrate a strong command of the language.
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Not have previously participated in the Africa Prize with the same innovation.
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Not be from industrial research establishments or recent alumni (post-June 2024) of certain Royal Academy programs (Advance or LIF).
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Be individuals, teams, startups, or organizations actively developing engineering innovations with potential for local impact and scalability.
Benefits for Shortlisted Participants (Up to 16)
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Eight-month tailored training focused on commercialisation, leadership, funding strategies, and pitch readiness.
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Two fully funded training weeks: one in the UK and one in a major African city.
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Access to business and engineering mentorship.
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Press and communications support for wider visibility.
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Networking access to industry leaders and experts in the UK and Africa.
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A chance to win up to £50,000 in prize money at the showcase event.
Application Process
Stage One (Now Open):
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Applicants will provide personal details, team info, and describe their innovation.
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Submissions will be reviewed by technical experts from the Academy’s network.
Stage Two (October 2025):
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Selected longlisted candidates will be invited to submit detailed proposals covering their business model, market strategy, and financial projections.
Successful candidates from stage two will be shortlisted to join the Africa Prize’s eight-month acceleration programme leading up to the final pitch event.
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