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TechInAfrica – The Africa50 Innovation Challenge, an initiative launched by Africa50 in partnership with DysruptUs is seeking out innovative solutions to improve access to high-speed internet in underserved communities in Africa. The challenge was announced during the 2019 Transform Africa Summit took place in Rwanda last month.
The challenge is for ICT developers, innovators, engineers, and entrepreneurs in Africa. The winning projects will be awarded cash prizes and the opportunity to receive funding for project development. Rwanda will be the pilot country for the projects with access to scale up to other African countries.
Speaking at the launch of the challenge, COO of Africa50, Carole Wainaina said: “This Challenge is an exciting opportunity for us to engage with the most creative minds to find novel solutions that can help address all these factors and tackle last mile connectivity in a holistic and sustainable manner. We see this as a huge opportunity and are ready to work with savvy investors and innovators, acting as a bridge to regulators and governments.”
CEO of Africa50, Alain Ebobissé added, “Africa needs to join the fourth industrial revolution, and we are ready to contribute by promoting innovation. Rwanda, one of our shareholders, is a great example, having developed a thriving ICT sector through enlightened leadership and an enabling regulatory environment. We see synergies between our Innovation Challenge and our co-development of Kigali Innovation City, a major tech hub. In fact, Rwanda is an ideal pilot country for implementing the solutions we hope to find. We can validate the concepts and technologies there before rolling them out in other countries.”
Individuals and organizations with innovative solutions are encouraged to apply for the Africa50 Innovation Challenge. The submissions will be reviewed and assessed by a panel of experts in ICT, investment, and international development. Selected finalists will be invited to pitch their solutions at AfriCom in November 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The applications already opened since May 14 and will be closed on September 8, 2019. For those who are interested in applying, please visit the website here.
Source: techtrendske.co.ke
