The Royal Academy of Engineering announced that applications are now open for its 2027 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, inviting engineers and entrepreneurs across sub‑Saharan Africa to submit projects that tackle social or environmental challenges.
Prize structure and support
The award, partially funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, will distribute £85,000 in prize money after an eight‑month commercialisation programme. The overall winner receives £50,000, three finalists each get £10,000, and a “One‑to‑Watch” accolade carries a £5,000 prize.
Beyond cash, the prize offers a training scheme that covers financial management, market analysis and other core business skills. Participants also gain access to mentors from the Academy’s network of engineers and industry leaders in Africa and the UK. Alumni collectively report more than $34 million in third‑party grants and equity funding.
Recent winners and shortlisted projects
Two South African innovators have previously earned the prize. Neo Hutiri, founder of Technovera, won for Pelebox, a smart locker that dispenses chronic medication, reducing clinic queues and serving over 3,000 patients in an average of 36 seconds. Edmund Wessels received recognition for Flexigyn, a portable device that lets gynaecologists diagnose and treat uterine conditions without anaesthetic.
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The 2026 shortlist featured 16 candidates from 11 African nations, covering AI‑driven health tools, mobile dialysis units, digital learning platforms, smart public transport, off‑grid renewable energy, agritech, low‑cost water supply and waste management solutions.
From a broader viewpoint, the prize reflects a growing trend of localized engineering solutions that bypass traditional supply chains. By nurturing home‑grown talent, the program aims to shift the continent’s innovation narrative from dependency to self‑sufficiency, a goal that aligns with wider economic diversification efforts.
Meredith Ettridge, associate director for International at the Academy, noted that the community “continues to grow” and that the upcoming final in Johannesburg will showcase more South African entrepreneurs developing scalable engineering solutions.
For details and to submit an application, interested parties should visit the official portal at africaprize.raeng.org.uk.
