The Africa50 Innovation Challenge is an initiative of Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investment platform.
The first edition of the Challenge called for solutions to improve last-mile connectivity to increase access to reliable and affordable internet in underserved areas in Africa.
A worldwide search over five months yielded 673 proposals, with over 80% from Africa.
The winning solutions will receive cash prizes and/or will be considered for project development funding. Projects will be rolled-out in Rwanda as the pilot country, with the objective to scale to other countries in Africa.
The Solution can address the problem for a large number of users at relatively low cost per new user. It can expand nationality and internationally.
The Solution is economically viable such so that industry players and consumers can reasonably access the solution and the cost barrier is not high.
The Solution is built in such a way that its constituent parts can function on their own and be assembled in different ways in order to meet diverse user needs. It can be plugged into the aspects of the internet-connectivity value chain.
The Solution can address the problem with news/original ideas and methods.
The Solution is economically viable so that industry players and consumers can reasonably access the solution and the cost barrier is not high
Throughout Rwanda within 12 months, meaning that field trials and relevant approvals have been granted in key geographies, or can be obtained within the necessary frame.
Deputy Director & Policy lead at Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) , Web Foundation
Startup Ecosystem Building, Innovation Village, Kampala C.K. Japheth Startup Ecosystem Building, Innovation Village, Kampala
PhD Technology Strategy, Partnerships & Business Development Executive, Co-founder Entropic Communications
Unit Head, NGN Engineering and Approval Studies of Telecommunications Access Network Studies
I feel Africa is at a critical crossroad of development and tech will be the key driver of this development
I am interested in Africa’s development and being part of a team that drives change and brings solutions as well as a vision to make Africa the best
As a Moroccan in tech, with an interest in promoting sustainable innovation, I am excited to participate in a Challenge that could lead to positive social impact through innovative applications of technology.
The Africa50 Innovation Challenge promises to identify and support the most promising startups solving the connectivity problem in Africa. I am excited to be a part of this process.
I want to be involved in unlocking Africa’s digital space for the next generation.
The Innovation Challenge is a good opportunity to promote last mile connectivity solutions.
Dealing with ICT infrastructure backlogs will have positive impacts creating markets and dealing with aspects of the digital divide”
My role in the Africa50 Innovation Challenge is to unlock innovation and to inspire innovation focused on solving pressing challenges.
The Africa50 Innovation Challenge on last-mile connectivity represents a bold step by such an institution to address the investment, technology and infrastructure barriers to connectivity and access.
The Innovation Challenge provides an opportunity to solve ICT challenges by tapping into ideas from a diverse group of innovators globally and providing them with the right support to test, launch and scale these solutions.
Pervasive, affordable last mile connectivity is essential to building an inclusive society and providing opportunities for all citizens to fulfill their potential.
Last mile connectivity is key for inclusive growth and it should include solutions for allowing people to download apps and buy services, even without having a credit card, as it will generate an economy of dedicated inclusive services focused on local development.
If many people cannot access digital networks and the services that run over them, then obviously African economies will not be able to maximize the potential for and the pace of change.
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Africa50’s mandate is to help bridge Africa’s infrastructure funding gap by facilitating project development, mobilizing public and private sector finance and investing in infrastructure on the continent. Africa50 focuses on medium to large scale projects that have a significant development impact and that provide an appropriate risk adjusted return to investors. Bringing project development and financing together in one institution, Africa50 seeks to provide support at every stage of the project cycle
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