THE AWARDS
Entries have now closed.
The Categories
Financing Access to Clean Energy
Africa’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy needs to be accelerated to ensure that its economies build resilience to the multiple impacts of climate change. At the same time, this decarbonisation effort must be done in a way that supports economic development, providing industries, farms, cities and households with the energy they require to improve output and livelihoods. Progress will not be achieved at scale without the significant mobilisation of capital, technology and expertise. This award recognises transformative renewable energy or energy efficiency projects that also increase access to energy and provide climate-smart solutions across key productive sectors. Special attention will be given to innovative financing and risk management solutions.
Resilient Infrastructure
Developing or retrofitting African infrastructure to ensure its resilience to climate change will be key to significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reducing poverty and boosting inclusion. This is particularly critical in cities, which are growing rapidly across the continent. This award recognises initiatives that leverage public and private sector expertise and finance and use new technologies to build and modernise critical infrastructure, decarbonise mobility networks, develop scalable, practical green building projects, improve waste management, and generally boost urban environmental resilience. Special attention will be given to entries that promote inclusion and affordability for low-income residents.
Biodiversity and Ecosystems Protection
Biodiversity is a crucial component of development, blunting some of the impacts of climate change, providing important sources of income and employment, especially to poorer rural communities, and ensuring food and water security. Around the world, including in Africa, nature is vanishing at an unprecedented rate and scale. This award recognises regenerative projects in Africa that protect ecosystems by conserving or restoring natural capital and leverage biodiversity to create long-term growth, greener and higher quality jobs, more secure supply of food and water, and barriers to natural and man-made disasters. Special attention will be given to projects that empower vulnerable smallholder farmers.
Gender Equality and Inclusion
Gender equality and women’s participation in decision-making – in communities, businesses, workplaces and households – are key to well-being and prosperity. Removing gender barriers unlocks economic productivity, reduces poverty and deepens social cohesion. This award recognises initiatives in Africa that expand and enable economic opportunities for women, engage more women as leaders, reduce violence against women and girls, and generally expand the participation of women and girls in economic growth. Special attention will be given to sectors and segments in which women-led businesses are traditionally underserve.
Digital Infrastructure
The universal access to inclusive, affordable, safe and resilient internet is essential for development. Yet much remains to be done across the developing world, including in Africa, to ensure that the digital infrastructure and connectivity that provides that access is operating effectively and at scale. Broadband networks need to reach rural and remote communities, enable the efficient and inclusive use of public services, and support productive businesses. This award recognises economically viable and energy-efficient initiatives in Africa that promote effective telecommunications markets, deepen the resilience of digital infrastructure and networks, expand connectivity to disadvantaged groups, improve digital literacy and affordability, and mitigate cyber risk. Special attention will be given to solutions that combine universal access and digital literacy programmes.
Judging Criteria
Discover how the awards entries will be judged! Download our judging criteria which provides detailed information on the evaluation process, helping you understand how entries are assessed and how winners are selected. Click the link below to download the PDF and gain valuable insights into the judging process.
Only initiatives that have been implemented since 2018 will be eligible. Entries must have annual revenues of at least US$3 million, or have investment of at least US$5 million, to be eligible.
Overall Award
Judges Award for Excellence
This prize will be awarded to the initiative that in the opinion of the judging panel stands apart among the winners of all core categories for its level of innovation, impact, replicability, financial viability and sustainability in the context of Africa’s development.
Don't meet the entry criteria?
Innovation Showcase
This special category is designed to highlight exciting new deep tech ideas that may not meet the eligibility criteria for the core categories but have the potential, with additional funding, to have a transformative impact.
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