Africa's Top Engineering Prize Now Open for 2027 Entries

Engineers with big ideas for solving Africa's most pressing challenges now have until September 8 to apply for the continent's largest engineering innovation award.

The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation just opened applications for its 2027 cycle, offering £85,000 in total prize money plus eight months of intensive business training. The program helps inventors turn promising prototypes into real companies that change lives across sub-Saharan Africa.

Over the past decade, the Royal Academy of Engineering has supported more than 180 businesses from 24 countries through this program. These alumni companies have collectively raised over $34 million in additional funding to grow their impact.

Two recent South African winners show what's possible when good engineering meets strong business support. Neo Hutiri created Pelebox, a smart locker system that dispenses chronic medication to patients in just 36 seconds on average, eliminating hours-long clinic queues for more than 3,000 people.

Edmund Wessels developed Flexigyn, a portable device that lets doctors diagnose and treat uterine conditions in local clinics instead of specialized operating rooms. His innovation slashed treatment costs by 70% and reduced patient waiting times from 10 months to just two weeks.

This year's 16 shortlisted innovations tackle everything from maternal health monitoring to renewable energy for off-grid hospitals. They come from 11 different African countries, showcasing the breadth of engineering talent across the continent.

The prize goes beyond just money. Shortlisted candidates receive expert mentoring from engineers and business leaders across Africa and the UK, plus training in financial management and market analysis to help their innovations actually reach the people who need them.

The Ripple Effect

The real power of this prize shows up in communities where winners deploy their solutions. When medical devices reach local clinics instead of distant hospitals, or when medication becomes accessible in seconds rather than hours, entire communities gain time, money, and better health outcomes.

The 2027 final will be held in Johannesburg, bringing more attention to South Africa's growing innovation ecosystem. With applications opening July 13, engineers across the continent have two months to submit their ideas for solutions that could reach millions.

Any individual or team based in sub-Saharan Africa can apply if they have a working prototype or minimum viable product, evidence of customer interest, and a solid business plan. The lead applicant must be 18 or older, fluent in English, and both a citizen of and living in a sub-Saharan African country.

More than just finding the next great invention, this prize is building a network of problem-solvers who understand their communities' challenges and have the engineering skills to fix them.