The Royal Academy of Engineering has launched its 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation with a special call out to engineers and innovators in South Africa, among other sub-Saharan African countries.
Esther Kimani (right) was the winner of the 2024 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation with her early detection device, identifying crop pests and disease.
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, now in its 11th year, is the continent’s largest award dedicated to fostering engineering innovation. Its mission is to stimulate, celebrate, and reward ingenuity and entrepreneurship across sub-Saharan Africa. The 2026 prize will award a total of £85 000, including £50 000 to the overall winner, £10 000 each to three runners-up and a further £5 000 for the ‘One-to-Watch' award.
Since its inception in 2014, the Africa Prize has supported more than 165 businesses from 22 countries with valuable training, mentoring, and communication resources. It also has a thriving alumni network with more than 70% of alumni generating revenue. Collectively, these engineering enterprises have secured $34 million in grants and equity funding.
Meredith Ettridge, Associate Director, International, at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Each year, the Africa Prize attracts significant interest from across the continent. We’re proud of this reach and this year we’re aiming to cast the net even wider – particularly in countries where engineering innovation is thriving but where the prize may not yet be as well-known as it is in other countries. Our goal is to connect with more local entrepreneurs and help bring their ideas to life.”
Up to 16 candidates are shortlisted for the Africa Prize each year, and they benefit from a comprehensive support package designed to accelerate their innovations. This includes an intensive eight-month training programme covering core business skills – such as financial management and market analysis – designed to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions. Participants also gain access to expert mentoring in business, technology, and engineering, as well as entry into the academy's extensive network of engineers and industry leaders across the UK and Africa.
Innovation across sectors
Applications can span a wide range of sectors. For example, this year’s 16 shortlisted candidates for the 2025 Africa Prize were recognised for innovative solutions tackling environmental, educational, and health challenges in their communities.
Previous South African finalists and winners have included Indira Tshiteta, whose innovation BlueAvo, is a digital platform which connects creative brands and people in the media industry with local content creators. Since 2020, BlueAvo has expanded to Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Botswana and Egypt, and helped thousands of people find employment opportunities.
To apply for the Africa Prize
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation is open to individuals or teams based in sub-Saharan Africa who have developed a scalable engineering innovation with social or environmental impact potential. Applicants must be fluent in English, and the lead applicant must be over 18 and a citizen ordinarily residing in a sub-Saharan African country. Innovations should be in the early stages of commercialisation and supported by a viable business plan. Hardware entries must include a working prototype and demonstrable customer interest; software or app innovations must have a functional minimum viable product and evidence of traction. Required documentation includes a letter of support, technical diagram, and a photo of the innovation.
Applications for the 2026 Prize opened in July and will close in mid-September. For the first time, the prize is introducing a two-stage application process to streamline submissions for applicants and reviewers. Interested candidates must apply within this window to be considered for the 2026 shortlist.
For more information visit: https://africaprize.raeng.org.uk/