AU Go Gal! Innovation Initiative 2025 for for Young African Female Innovators (Fully Funded)

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Applications are open for African Union Go Gal! Innovation Initiative 2025. The AU Go Gal! Innovation Initiative is a groundbreaking program designed to empower young African women aged 15–25 to lead Africa’s technological, social, and economic transformation.

This initiative, developed by the African Union Innovation Lab (AU InnoLab), aims to identify and support 20 innovative young women with scalable solutions addressing key socioeconomic challenges such as Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion and Girls’ Education. Selected participants will benefit from mentorship, industry connections, and recognition, with 5 finalists receiving special support to amplify their impact.

Leveraging the continent’s unique demographic dividend calls for innovative and disruptive approaches that ensure the involvement of young people in the continent’s development, both as contributors and beneficiaries. This youth-centric approach perfectly aligns with Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063, the African Youth Charter, the AU Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI 2023) Initiative, the African Girls Can Code Initiative, AU CIEFFA’s Youth Capacity Building Programme and, the 1 Million Next Level Initiative – which aims to provide 300 million young people with opportunities for quality education through digital skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, engagement, health and wellbeing.

AU Go Gal! Innovation Initiative Objectives

Empower young women in innovation and technology.
Foster socioeconomic development through scalable solutions.
Provide mentorship and industry connections.
Promote gender equality and youth participation in development.
Support sustainability and scalability of innovations across Africa.

Benefits

Participants selected for the AU Go Gal! Innovation Initiative will gain access to a rich support ecosystem designed to help bring their ideas to life.
All 20 young women innovators will be paired with experienced mentors and connected to key industry players who will guide them throughout their innovation journey, offering expert advice, resources, and capacity-building support. This mentorship will help refine their concepts, strengthen their solutions, and prepare them for real-world implementation.
In addition to the invaluable learning and networking opportunities provided to all participants, five outstanding finalists will receive further recognition and tailored support to scale their innovations. This includes increased visibility, potential partnerships, and opportunities to present their solutions on larger platforms.
The initiative also positions participants within a continental network of change-makers, aligning them with major African Union development programs and opening pathways to long-term growth, collaboration, and funding.
Through this initiative, participants not only gain the tools to transform their communities but also step into leadership roles in shaping Africa’s future.

Selection Criteria

Twenty (20) participants, four (4) from each region, will be selected based on the following criteria:

Age: Participants must be young African women, aged between 15 and 25.
Languages: English and French
Citizenship: Participants must be citizens of an African Union member state, residing on the continent.
Digital or Innovative Idea: The applicant should present an original, practical, and scalable solution that addresses a pressing community, regional, or continental challenge. The innovation should be in the area of Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion or girls and women’s education, including innovations on enhancing young women’s participation in economic decision-making processes towards empowerment.
Feasibility and Impact: The idea should demonstrate clear potential for solving real-world problems in Africa, with a strong focus on sustainability, scalability, and community impact. Solutions that integrate social, environmental, and economic considerations are particularly valuable.
Stage of Innovation: Whether the idea is in the conceptual phase, prototype stage, or has already been tested in a real-world environment, ideas at all stages are eligible.
Commitment to Community and Societal Impact: A demonstrated commitment to solving problems that benefit the community, with a focus on underserved or marginalised populations. The project or innovation should address issues that are relevant to the local context of the participant’s home country or region, with a vision for broader application across Africa.
Potential for Scaling and Sustainability: Evidence that innovation can be expanded or adapted for other regions or countries. Preference will be given to projects that have the potential to grow beyond a single location and contribute to broader socioeconomic development. The project should have a plan for long-term sustainability, either financially, socially, or environmentally. This may involve partnerships, funding strategies, or self-sustaining models.
Educational Background & Technical Competence: While formal education is not the sole determinant, applicants should demonstrate the ability to actualise their digital and innovative solutions. Applicants with an exceptional track record in relevant courses, self-learning, or experiential learning in innovative-related fields will also be considered.
Availability: A commitment and availability to fully participate in training, mentorship, networking events, and other activities organized under the AU Go Gal! initiative.
Communication and Presentation Skills: The ability to present and communicate innovation, its potential impact, and the long-term vision. This includes the ability to pitch ideas to investors, stakeholders, and potential partners. Ability to write clear proposals, reports, and updates. The submission should demonstrate good writing skills in terms of clarity, structure, and attention to detail.