Africa Prize opens applications to Angolan engineers and innovators for 2027 competition

LONDON (XOL Africa) — The Royal Academy of Engineering has opened applications for the 2027 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, calling on engineers and innovators in Angola and across sub-Saharan Africa to submit scalable solutions with the potential to address social and environmental challenges.

The competition, which is partly funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is described by the academy as Africa’s leading prize focused on engineering-led innovation.

The 2027 winners will share £85,000 in prize money following an eight-month commercialization program. The overall winner will receive £50,000, while each of three finalists will receive £10,000. An additional £5,000 will go to the “One-to-Watch” award winner.

The program also provides participants with business training, communications resources and mentorship from the academy’s network of engineers and industry leaders in Africa and the United Kingdom.

“The community of the Africa Prize continues to grow and, every year, we see increasing engagement from innovators across the continent, reflecting the depth and diversity of engineering talent in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Meredith Ettridge, associate director for international affairs at the Royal Academy of Engineering.

“This year, we are focused on building new connections in regions where awareness of the Prize is still growing, to extend our reach and support more innovations with the potential to scale and make a lasting difference,” she said.

Sixteen candidates are shortlisted each year for the program and receive an intensive eight-month package designed to help transform their innovations into scalable businesses.

The training includes financial management, market analysis and other business skills, while participants also receive specialized mentoring in business, technology, engineering and communications.

The academy said its Africa Prize network now supports more than 180 companies across 24 countries. Former participants have collectively secured more than $34 million in third-party funding through grants and equity, according to the organization.

The competition covers a wide range of sectors, including health care, education, transportation, renewable energy, agriculture, water and waste management.

Previous finalists have developed innovations including artificial intelligence tools for maternal and cardiac health, mobile dialysis technologies, digital learning platforms, smart public transportation systems, renewable energy solutions for communities and hospitals without reliable grid connections, and low-cost clean water systems.

Angolan innovators have previously featured in the competition.

Cristóvão Cacombe, who was shortlisted for the 2023 Africa Prize, developed Arobot, a robotics learning tool for children modeled after Angola’s three-wheeled motorcycle, commonly known as a “kupapata.”

Since 2021, the initiative has expanded to 15 cities in Angola and trained more than 7,000 students, according to the academy.

For the 2027 competition, applications are open to individuals and teams based in sub-Saharan Africa who are developing scalable engineering solutions with clear potential for social or environmental impact.

Applicants must be fluent in English, while the lead applicant must be at least 18 years old and both a citizen and resident of a sub-Saharan African country.

Innovations must be at an early stage of commercialization and supported by a business plan demonstrating a credible path to growth.

Hardware-based innovations must have a working prototype and evidence of customer interest. Software and application-based innovations must have a functional minimum viable product and demonstrated user traction.

Applications for the 13th cycle opened July 13 and will close Sept. 8. The competition uses a two-stage application process.

The Royal Academy of Engineering encouraged prospective applicants in Angola and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa to submit their innovations before the deadline.