Africa50 invites applications from changemakers looking to expand their connectivity business in Africa for the innovation challenge in 2020
Calling all developers, ICT experts, engineers and innovators, to join Africa50 in finding sustainable solutions to respond to Africa’s most critical and pressing infrastructure development challenges.
Recent World Bank studies show that an additional 10% Internet penetration can lift GDP by 1-4% in developing countries and that African firms using the Internet are nearly four times as productive per employee as those that do not.
Internet connectivity has a strong multiplier effect on economies as it drives increased exposure to information, innovation, and knowledge, at reduced costs. It enables access to education, health and other social services, as well as employment and job creation opportunities. Internet connectivity also enables small businesses to access international markets and allows new industries to spring up.
Africa is at a crossroads with a range of development needs. Providing the strongest foundation for advanced, inclusive growth, last mile connectivity will enable the continent to leapfrog traditional solutions and unlock the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Africa50’s Innovation Challenge provides you with an unparalleled opportunity to get your solution in front of our investment team and project funding partners, as well as gain exposure in Africa’s leading tech events. Africa50 is looking for the most innovative infrastructure and tech solutions which enable people to connect to the internet in their daily lives, through fixed and mobile devices
Worth of Award
- Financial Reward
Cash prize and/or potential project development funding - Investor Connections
Access to B2B matching services to connect with new partner - Deal Opportunities
Integrate Africa50’s pipeline of bankable projects - Exposure and Influence
Opportunity to pitch your solution at AfricaCom and Transform Africa, the largest tech events in Africa - Technical Support
Technical support to improve your project’s investment readiness - Pan-African Footprint
Opportunity to scale your solution to Africa50’s shareholder countries (27 at present)
Eligibility
The call is open for innovators, engineers, entrepreneurs, ICT experts, individuals or organizations worldwide, to submit their workable solutions for implementation.
Innovations that meet the following criteria will be considered:
- Solutions at the pilot and/or post-revenue stage
- Solutions must meet worldwide environmental, social and governance standards.
- Combinations of solutions are encouraged, including technological and deployment models, particularly those that work systemically and unlock a number of barriers to the challenges of last-mile connectivity.
- Solutions may include physical infrastructure such as solar-powered mobile masts and platforms, TV white-space technology, drones and local micro-nets, as well as innovative rural network deployment models.
- Novel ways of using existing technology and infrastructure, software or social engagement.
- Solutions to related issues such as energy access, supporting uptake and device affordability and usability are also encouraged.
- Solutions that have applicability in locations other than Rwanda are allowed. However, for this competition, the solutions will be piloted in Rwanda.
If an entity is considered for potential funding, it should be willing to implement its solution and become a partner in the project that would be piloted in Rwanda.
How to Apply
Application for this programme is online through their website
Deadline: Applications are open until December 31, 2019.