Who can apply
- Citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries
- Applicants ordinarily based in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Individuals applying independently or as the lead applicant of a team
- Applicants aged 18 years or above
- Engineers and non-engineers developing engineering-based innovations
- Entrepreneurs whose innovations are already beyond the idea stage
- Applicants able to participate fully in the programme in English
- Applicants whose innovations are based in and will benefit Sub-Saharan Africa
Focus areas
- Agricultural technology
- Biotechnology
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer science
- Design engineering
- Electrical and electronic engineering
- Information and communication technology
- Materials science
- Mechanical engineering
- Medical engineering
- Engineering solutions for sustainable development
- Scalable technologies addressing African social or environmental challenges
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old when applications close
- Be a citizen of and ordinarily based in a Sub-Saharan African country
- Submit the application in English
- Present an engineering-based innovation that is beyond the idea stage
- Demonstrate that the innovation is in the early stages of commercialisation
- Show strong potential for replication and scale
- Demonstrate clear social or environmental benefits in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Present an ambitious but realistic business model with commercial potential
- Provide a current CV
- Provide technical documentation showing how the innovation works
- Provide a technical diagram and photograph of the innovation
- Provide images or videos demonstrating the innovation where requested
- Provide evidence of customer interest or traction where applicable
- Obtain permission from intellectual-property owners or collaborators where relevant
Application steps
- Read the official 2027 Africa Prize eligibility and Application Guidance Notes
- Confirm that your innovation is beyond the idea stage and meets the Sub-Saharan Africa requirements
- Prepare your CV, technical documentation, innovation images, technical diagram and supporting evidence
- Create or sign in to the Royal Academy of Engineering Grant Management System
- Select Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2026/2027 Stage 1 and complete the application
- Submit the Stage 1 application before 8 September 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC+1
Global Grants Hub strategic note
This prize is best suited to innovators who already have something working, not applicants with only an idea. Hardware applicants should have a prototype, while software applicants should have a functional product and evidence of users or market interest. Strong applications will explain the engineering clearly, demonstrate a real African problem, show customer demand and present a credible route to commercial growth and scale. Applicants do not need to be qualified engineers, but the innovation itself must have a genuine engineering or technology component. Previous Africa Prize participants and certain recent Royal Academy programme alumni are not eligible.