The 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation shortlist brings renewed momentum for African entrepreneurship, with 16 innovators selected from 11 countries to scale solutions that address real challenges across the continent. From healthcare and education to clean energy and transport, the initiative is expected to strengthen businesses, create jobs and improve access to essential services in underserved communities.
The shortlist, announced by the Royal Academy of Engineering, highlights a growing pipeline of practical, locally built technologies designed to solve everyday problems. These include AI-powered maternal and cardiac health tools, digital learning platforms, renewable energy systems and smart mobility solutions. Together, they reflect how African entrepreneurs are using engineering to deliver impact where it is needed most.
The Africa Prize is more than a competition. It is an eight-month business support programme that equips innovators with training, mentoring and access to networks across Africa and the UK. This support helps early-stage businesses move from idea to market, improving their chances of long-term success. Over the past 12 years, the programme has supported 165 businesses across 22 countries, creating more than 40,000 jobs and reaching over 11 million people through their products and services.
Rebecca Enonchong, head judge of the Africa Prize, said the 2026 cohort reflects the strength and diversity of engineering innovation across the continent. She noted that it is encouraging to see innovators from countries such as Niger and Lesotho represented for the first time, showing how the initiative continues to expand its reach.
Supporting innovators to scale impact
The selected innovators will take part in a structured programme designed to strengthen both their technology and business models. This includes training in financial management, market analysis and growth strategy, as well as technical mentoring and access to industry experts.
The shortlist announcement also coincides with a week-long UK residential programme, where participants meet in person for the first time. During this period, they engage in knowledge exchange and visit leading organisations such as BladeBUG and the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering. These experiences expose them to global best practices and new ideas that can be adapted to African markets.
The programme will end with a final pitching event in Johannesburg in October 2026, where participants will compete for a share of an £85,000 prize fund. The winner will receive £50,000, while three runners-up will each receive £10,000. An additional £5,000 ‘One-to-Watch’ award will be decided by audience vote.
Beyond the financial rewards, participants gain access to a strong alumni network of more than 160 innovators. This network provides ongoing support, funding opportunities and partnerships that help businesses grow beyond the programme.
Elly Savatia, the 2025 winner from Signvrse, said the programme helped strengthen both the engineering and business side of his sign language platform, Terp 360. He added that the connections made through the Africa Prize played a key role in building partnerships and improving access to communication tools for Deaf communities.
Diverse solutions tackling local challenges
The 2026 shortlist includes innovators from Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Each entrepreneur is addressing a specific challenge in their community.
Johannes Amo-Aye from Ghana developed Fusion Wind Turbine, a hybrid wind and solar system that delivers clean electricity to off-grid communities and reduces reliance on diesel. In Kenya, Alice Muhuhu created MoyoECG, a wearable device that enables rural clinics to carry out cardiac screening without internet access. Naom Monari also from Kenya designed Renal Roads, a mobile dialysis unit that brings treatment closer to patients in remote areas.
Royford Mutegi introduced an automated vermicomposting device that converts food waste into fertiliser, helping farmers reduce costs. Mochesane Mpali from Lesotho developed Farmflex, an AI-powered platform that supports smallholder farmers with data, financing and market access. Tadala Mtimuni from Malawi created MalawiDrop, a low-cost device that provides safe drinking water for rural households.
Mamane Kabirou from Niger developed Likita Care, a monitoring system that combines vital signs tracking with AI support to improve patient care. In Nigeria, Chidi Nwaogu built Efiwe, a coding platform that works offline, while Derick Nwasor developed Just Add Water, a clean energy solution for healthcare facilities.
Millicent Kariuki from Rwanda created HarakaPlus, a platform that improves public transport efficiency. In South Africa, Dyllon Randall developed Peecycling, which converts waste into fertiliser and reusable water, while Sincengile Ntshingila introduced LabZero, a virtual lab for biomedical training.
Moustapha Diop from Senegal created Jangalma, an AI-driven education platform, while Allen Kimambo from Tanzania developed ZaidiApp, which digitises waste collection and supports informal workers. Faith Kuya also from Tanzania built WaterBank, a solar-powered water system for off-grid communities. From Zambia, Tafadzwa Kalisto created DawaMom, a maternal health platform offering guidance, diagnostics and referrals.
These innovations show how local knowledge combined with engineering can produce practical solutions that improve lives. Many of the technologies are designed to work offline or in low-resource settings, making them suitable for rural and underserved areas.
As applications for the next Africa Prize open later in 2026, the current cohort sets a strong example of what is possible when African innovators are given the right support. The programme continues to play a key role in building sustainable businesses that not only grow economically but also address critical social and environmental challenges across the continent.
