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Africa’s tech startup environment is thriving. Innovation centres and contests are driving the expansion of entrepreneurship. Various tech startup competitions have emerged, offering financial support, guidance, and networking opportunities that can convert new concepts into scalable enterprise.
Here’s a compilation of the leading 10 tech startup competitions in Africa that founders should consider in 2025:
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation recognizes outstanding African engineers and their creative works. It offers them a platform to promote their innovations.
The Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) presents the annual award to honour and acknowledge innovative engineering solutions originating from Africa. The award was introduced in 2014 to recognise and assist African engineers who have created innovative solutions to significant issues on the continent.
Qualifying projects exhibit substantial innovation, possess the capacity to provide societal benefits, and present robust proof of a distinct market opportunity. The competition is open to African engineers. The application process consists of a video presentation and a written entry.
The recipient receives a support package that includes mentoring, networking opportunities, and assistance with business development.
Past recipients of the Africa Prize have originated from Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Kenya. Challenges ranging from water treatment, agriculture, sustainable energy and healthcare have been addressed with their Innovations.
A primary objective of the Africa Prize is to meet the demand for increased assistance for African engineers and innovators. Numerous African nations encounter considerable development obstacles, and engineering advancements could greatly influence sectors like healthcare, education, and economic growth.
website: https://africaprize.raeng.org.uk
2. Seedstars World Competition
The Seedstars World Competition is an annual global contest for startups designed to recognise and assist the most promising businesses in developing markets. It has been ongoing since 2013 in more than 70 countries. Startups from different countries vie to present their concepts to investors.
Seedstars journeys through Africa to discover top startups, providing funding, international visibility, and connections to investors in the global finals for an opportunity to obtain substantial funding.
Prize: It awards up to $500,000 in equity funding.
Site: https://www.seedstarsworld.com.
3. The MEST Africa Challenge
The MEST Africa Challenge is a tech startup competition in Ghana that takes place each year. It scouts for startups throughout Africa. It aims to discover and support the continent’s most creative and scalable concepts. The founders are offered an opportunity to showcase their concept and connect with a network of industry specialists and investors.
The contest is open to African tech entrepreneurs, providing them with training and financial support of up to $50,000. The contest is open to technology startups in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire.
4. The Ecobank Fintech Challenge
The Ecobank Fintech Challenge is a continent-wide innovation initiative established by Ecobank, a prominent financial entity in Africa. The challenge aims to test groundbreaking fintech solutions capable of revolutionising the continent’s banking and financial services sector.
Launched in 2017, the challenge has evolved into a platform for African fintech innovators to present their concepts and vie for awards and investment. Annually, a chosen group of startups receives guidance, training, and a monetary award to enhance their products and expand their companies.
This contest recognises Africa’s top fintech startups, and winners are supported with Eco Bank’s network spanning 33 African nations.
The challenge focuses on fintechs providing online banking and access to financial services. Previous winners have created creative solutions like mobile identity verification and digital wallets.
Ecobank, the award’s organiser, offers $50,000 + collaboration opportunities for the winner of this competition.
5. The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is one of Africa’s biggest entrepreneurship events. It offers funding, networking and mentorship to startups with creative solutions in Africa.
Established in 2015, it has evolved into a driver of economic growth and employment generation throughout the continent.
The selected individuals, with ventures either in the concept phase or functioning for under three years, receive a venue and a full range of assistance. This comprises:
Top-tier business training: Attendees take part in TEFConnect, the Foundation’s exclusive digital platform.
Mentorship: Entrepreneurs are matched with seasoned mentors who assist them in improving their business plans and strategies.
Non-repayable seed funding: An essential aspect is offering a $5,000 seed capital grant to support beneficiaries in initiating and expanding their businesses.
Access to an extensive network: The initiative offers a vibrant pan-African alumni community and chances to engage with investors and collaborators.
It is organised by the Tony Elumelu Foundation. It awards up to $5,000 in initial funding and mentorship to the winners.
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6. Google for Startups Black Founders Fund (Africa)
The Black Founders Fund has spent millions of dollars on investment program to assist black entrepreneurs in the United States. Google’s Black Founders Fund aids African startups by providing equity-free funding, Google Cloud services, and guidance.
It is organised by Google and awards as much as $100,000 in financing. The competition is open to tech startups led by Black individuals.
7. The AUDA-NEPAD Innovation Challenge
This AUDA-NEPAD Innovation Challenge is a unique challenge designed to promote economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa. The contest promotes economic transformation in Africa through innovative solutions and entrepreneurship. It wants to foster a prosperous and sustainable future for the continent.
This challenge focuses on agricultural and healthcare technology.
8. African Startup Awards
The African Startup Awards is an annual contest that rewards young African business owners making the most impact in their communities. It was established by the African Leadership Academy in 2011 to support Africa’s most innovative startups by young founders.
The contest was designed to help young African startups achieve growth and sustainability. The winner is rewarded with a grant of up to $25,000 to help in scaling up. It is organised by Global Startup Awards and has local and international visibility. It focuses on every technological field.
This continent-wide contest acknowledges leading startups in various categories, with victors moving on to the worldwide finals.
9. The Gitex Africa Supernova Challenge
The Gitex Africa Supernova Challenge is a contest that brings together exceptional startups from all over Africa. They compete for funds, mentorship, and connections to a network of investors.
It aims to create a platform for African innovators and creators to reach an international audience. The aim is to foster economic growth and prosperity.
10. The Lagos Startup Exhibition & Expo
The Lagos Startup Expo & Awards is a leading highlighter of the drive within Nigeria’s dynamic startup landscape. It pulls together several startups, investors, and industry specialists, enabling them to gain insights from one another by working together.
The expo also has other activities like product displays, panel discussions, and workshops. It is focused on entrepreneurship and technology.
The award celebrates startups that impact the Nigerian economy most significantly. It is organised by Eureka Africa. The awards offer financial support and media visibility. It emphasizes startups in Nigeria and Africa.
This event celebrates the top startups in Lagos, Nigeria. It provides funding opportunities and investor networks.
These 10 tech startup competitions in Africa offer funding and mentorship to outstanding startups. Several startups have used these platforms to gain momentum. They offer support to several categories of startups, including fintech, edtech and agritech, offering them the necessary resources for growth.
