Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025 for African Emerging Innovators ($20,000 in Prizes)

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Applications are open for Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025. Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025 is powered by Future Africa and in collaboration with Ilorin Tech Hub, CcHub, and IHS. The theme Resource-Constrained Computing is a pan-African challenge designed to spotlight and empower the next generation of innovators solving complex problems with limited resources. Whether it’s building AI models on edge devices, designing offline-first systems, decentralized compute or developing energy-efficient tech, this challenge invites you to rethink what’s possible when constraints inspire creativity.

Resource-constrained computing solutions focus on optimizing computational tasks when resources like power, memory, and processing capabilities are limited, often in devices like communication devices, sensors, and embedded systems. This isn’t just about code or hardware—it’s about the journey. They are looking for builders who can not only create solutions, but also tell the story of how they solved for Africa’s unique infrastructural realities.

From agriculture to fintech, education to health, participants are encouraged to build in any domain—so long as your solution thrives under real-world constraints.

Join Africa Deep Tech Challenge to build groundbreaking, efficient, and scalable technologies that could shape the future of computing in Africa—and beyond. The most compelling innovators will get funding, mentorship, and access to a pipeline of deep tech investment opportunities.

Africa Deep Tech Challenge Prizes

First Prize:

$8,000 USD Equity-Free Grant
2 Months of Tailored Mentorship
Direct Access to Investment Pipeline
Media Exposure + Feature Spotlights
Post-Challenge Support

Second Prize:

$5,000 USD Equity-Free Grant
2 Months of Tailored Mentorship
Direct Access to Investment Pipeline
Media Exposure + Feature Spotlights
Post-Challenge Support

Third Prize:

$3,000 USD Equity-Free Grant
2 Months of Tailored Mentorship
Direct Access to Investment Pipeline
Media Exposure + Feature Spotlights
Post-Challenge Support

IHS Challenge Prize – Power Management Category:

$4,000 USD Equity-Free Grant

Finalists (At Most 10):

Live demo opportunity during the finals
1:1 mentorship with deep tech professionals
Professional documentation support
Access to partner network

Semi-Finalists (At most 20):

Recognition certificate
Access to mentorship, workshops, and extended learning resources

All participants get access to webinars, templates, technical resources, and a vibrant community of innovators.

Eligibility Criteria for Africa Deep Tech Challenge

Open to individuals or teams of up to 4 members.
Participants must be aged 18 or older and reside in any of the listed African countries.
No prior startup or funding status required—this challenge is for emerging innovators.
All submissions must be the original work of the team.
Teams can use open-source tools or libraries but must cite them clearly.
You agree to the Challenge Participation Agreement
Your solution can apply to any domain: healthcare, education, smart cities, fintech, climate, entertainment, agriculture, gaming and beyond.

Eligible African Countries:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo the Democratic Republic of the, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Note: This was the former name of Libya), Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland (now known as Eswatini), Tanzania United Republic of, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Submission Requirement

To be considered for judging, participants must submit the following:

A working prototype that addresses a real-world challenge using resource-constrained computing principles (e.g., limited power, low compute, offline functionality).
A comprehensive documentation package including:
- Problem definition and identified constraints
- Alternative design explorations and final decisions
- Tools and technologies used (especially AI, IoT, ML, etc.)
- Technical implementation details and performance benchmarks
- Screenshots or short video walkthroughs of the development process
- Final video presentation (max 2 mins) demonstrating the solution and journey

Judging Criteria

Technical Implementation (30%)
- Functionality and performance in resource-constrained environments – Application and understanding of first principles – Code / Hardware quality and efficiency – Integration of complementary technologies – Effective use of limited computing resources
Creative Problem-Solving (30%)
- Novel approaches to addressing constraints – Elegant solutions to complex problems – Innovative application of existing technologies – Adaptability to varying resource limitations
Process Documentation (20%)
- Quality and comprehensiveness of development documentation – Clarity of thought process and decision-making – Evidence of learning and iteration – Transparency about challenges and solutions
Tool Orchestration (10%)
- Effective use of AI and other tools in the development process – Strategic application of automation where appropriate – Balance between human creativity and AI assistance – Documentation of tool selection and usage
Usability and Relevance (10%)
- Practical application in African contexts – User experience considerations – Potential for real-world impact – Scalability in resource-constrained environments