Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025 ($20,000 in prizes) – YOA

Deadline: July 31, 2025

Applications for the Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025 at the moment are open. The Africa Deep Tech Challenge is powered by Future Africa and in collaboration with Ilorin Tech Hub, CcHub, and IHS. The theme Resource-Constrained Computing is a pan-African problem designed to highlight and empower the subsequent technology of innovators fixing advanced issues with restricted assets. Whether it’s constructing AI fashions on edge units, designing offline-first techniques, decentralized compute or growing vitality-environment friendly tech, this problem invites you to rethink what’s attainable when constraints encourage creativity.

Resource-constrained computing options give attention to optimizing computational duties when assets like energy, reminiscence, and processing capabilities are restricted, typically in units like communication units, sensors, and embedded techniques. This isn’t nearly code or {hardware}—it’s concerning the journey. They are on the lookout for builders who can’t solely create options but additionally inform the story of how they solved for Africa’s distinctive infrastructural realities.

From agriculture to fintech, schooling to well being, individuals are inspired to construct in any area—as long as your resolution thrives below actual-world constraints.

Prizes

• First Prize:
  • $8,000 USD Equity-Free grant
  • 2 Months of Tailored Mentorship
  • Direct Access to Investment Pipeline
  • Media Exposure + Feature Spotlights
  • Post-Challenge Support
• Second Prize:
  • $5,000 USD Equity-Free Grant
  • 2 Months of Tailored Mentorship
  • Direct Access to Investment Pipeline
  • Media Exposure + Feature Spotlights
  • Post-Challenge Support
• Third Prize:
  • $3,000 USD Equity-Free Grant
  • 2 Months of Tailored Mentorship
  • Direct Access to Investment Pipeline
  • Media Exposure + Feature Spotlights
  • Post-Challenge Support
• IHS Challenge Prize – Power Management Category:
  • $4,000 USD Equity-Free Grant
• Finalists (At Most 10):
  • Live demo OPPORTUNITY in the course of the finals
  • 1:1 mentorship with deep tech professionals
  • Professional documentation assist
  • Access to associate community
• Semi-Finalists (At most 20):
  • Recognition certificates
  • Access to mentorship, workshops, and prolonged studying assets

Eligibility

• Open to people or groups of as much as 4 members.
• Participants should be aged 18 or older and reside in any of the listed African international locations.
• No prior startup or funding standing required—this problem is for rising innovators.
• All submissions should be the unique work of the crew.
• Teams can use open-supply instruments or libraries however should cite them clearly.

Selection Criteria

• Technical Implementation (30%): Functionality and efficiency in useful resource-constrained environments – Application and understanding of first rules – Code / Hardware high quality and effectivity – Integration of complementary applied sciences – Effective use of restricted computing assets
• Creative Problem-Solving (30%): Novel approaches to addressing constraints – Elegant options to advanced issues – Innovative application of current applied sciences – Adaptability to various useful resource limitations
• Process Documentation (20%): Quality and comprehensiveness of growth documentation – Clarity of thought course of and choice-making – Evidence of studying and iteration – Transparency about challenges and options
• Tool Orchestration (10%): Effective use of AI and different instruments within the growth course of – Strategic application of automation the place acceptable – Balance between human creativity and AI help – Documentation of software choice and utilization
• Usability and Relevance (10%): Practical application in African contexts – User expertise concerns – Potential for actual-world impression – Scalability in useful resource-constrained environments

Application

You can be required to submit the next:

• A purposeful prototype or demo of your resolution
• A complete undertaking report together with:
  • Problem definition and context
  • Identified constraints (e.g. energy, knowledge, compute, connectivity)
  • Documentation of design options and closing selections
  • Tools used (AI, IoT, and many others.) and why they have been chosen
  • Performance assessments and benchmarks
  • Screenshots or brief movies exhibiting your construct in motion
• A brief video (max 2 minutes) explaining your resolution and growth journey
• Updated documentation and video (if part of semi-closing or closing spherical)

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to Africa Deep Tech Challenge.