Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA is a joint initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) started in 2011. IPA honours and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency or saving cost in Africa.
The prize also promotes among young African men and women the pursuit of science, technology and engineering careers and business applications. Specifically, the award targets technological breakthroughs in such main concern areas as manufacturing and service industry, health and well-being, agriculture and agribusiness, environment, energy and water and ICTs.
IPA aims to:
- mobilize leaders from all sectors to fuel African innovation
- promote innovation across Africa in key sectors of interest through the competition
- promote science, technology and engineering as rewarding, exciting and noble career options among the youth in Africa by profiling successful applicants
- encourage entrepreneurs, innovators, funding bodies and business development service providers to exchange ideas and explore innovative business opportunities.
IPA anticipates contributing to the following outcomes:
- increased commercialization of research and development (R&D) outputs in Africa
- increased funding of start-ups, adoption of new and emerging technologies and accelerated growth of an innovative and dynamic private sector; and
- increased economic activity and African led development that results in lasting impact.
The 2013 Innovation Prize for Africa will consist of three Prizes below:
- USD100’000 for the best innovator based on marketability, originality, scalability, social impact, utility/technical aspect and clear business potentials
- USD 25000 for the runner-up with the best commercial/business potential and
- USD25’000 for the runner-up with the highest social impact in the community/country.