UK national institution the Royal Academy of Engineering has opened applications to engineers and innovators for its 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.

Applications can span a range of sectors. The 16 shortlisted candidates for the 2025 Africa Prize were recognised for innovative solutions tackling environmental, educational and health challenges in their communities, the academy says.

The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation is open to individuals or teams based in sub-Saharan Africa who have a scalable engineering innovation with social- or environmental-impact potential.

Further, innovations should be in the early stages of commercialisation and supported by a viable business plan.

Hardware entries must include a working prototype and customer interest. Software or app innovations must have a functional minimum viable product and evidence of traction. A letter of support, technical diagram and a photo of the innovation are required documents, the organisation says.

Up to 16 candidates are shortlisted for the prize each year and benefit from a comprehensive support package designed to accelerate their innovations. This includes an intensive eight-month training programme that covers core business skills, such as financial management and market analysis, which are designed to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions.

Participants also gain access to expert mentoring in business, technology and engineering, as well as entry into the academy's extensive network of engineers and industry leaders across the UK and Africa.

“The Africa Prize attracts significant interest from across the continent each year and this year we’re aiming to cast the net even wider, particularly in countries where engineering innovation is thriving, but the prize may not yet be as well known.

“Our goal is to connect with more local entrepreneurs and help bring their ideas to life,” says Royal Academy of Engineering international associate director Meredith Ettridge.

The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation aims to stimulate, celebrate and reward ingenuity and entrepreneurship across sub-Saharan Africa.

The 2026 Prize will award a total of £85 000, including £50 000 to the overall winner, £10 000 each to three runners-up and an additional £5 000 for the ‘One-to-Watch' award.

Applications for Cycle 12 of the prize opened in July and will close in mid-September.

For the first time, the academy is introducing a two-stage application process to streamline submissions for both applicants and reviewers. Interested candidates must apply within this window to be considered for the 2026 shortlist.

Since its inception in 2014, the Africa Prize has supported more than 165 businesses from 22 countries with invaluable training, mentoring and communication resources. Its alumni network also has more than 70% of the alumni generating revenue.

Collectively, these alumni have secured $34-million in grants and equity funding.