2026 Milken-Motsepe Prize in Circular Economy ($2 million in total prizes) – Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline: August 13, 2026

Applications are actually open for the 2026 Milken-Motsepe Prize in Circular Economy. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in Circular Economy calls on scalable corporations utilizing know-how to boost round financial system practices throughout a wide range of industries in Africa. This prize presents $2 million in total prizes, together with a $1 million Grand Prize. Participating corporations may also acquire entry to unique networking and the chance to pitch to business leaders and key decision-makers.

The profitable crew will exhibit a commercially viable, technology-enabled round financial system enterprise working in Africa with a transparent path to scale. The enterprise will scale back waste, maintain supplies in circulation, and ship measurable environmental and social affect via stronger, extra resource-efficient worth chains. Teams might be evaluated based mostly on business viability, market scalability, workforce and social affect, and circularity and environmental affect. 

Teams from a wide range of companies are inspired to apply and groups will be required to submit category-specific metrics from industries equivalent to the next: 

• Agriculture & Food Systems
• Plastics & Packaging
• Electronics
• Textiles
• Construction & The Built Environment

Eligibility Requirements

The program is searching for corporations that meet the next eligibility necessities: 

1. Over 2 years of steady operation 
2. Over $500k in income and raised capital 
3. Institutional, company, and/or public‑sector partnerships 
4. Solution at present deployed on the African continent 
5. Clear proof of social affect and job creation 
6. Demonstrated operational readiness to deploy $1M+ in funding 

Award Rounds

Application Submission & Semifinalist Announcement

• Teams submit their designs and enterprise fashions.
• 10 semifinalists are chosen.
• Each semifinalist receives US$50,000.

Pitch Event & Finalist Announcement

• Semifinalists pitch to business leaders and judges.
• 5 finalists are chosen.
• Each finalist receives US$50,000.

Grand Prize Submission & Announcement

• Finalists submit their ultimate supplies.
• Grand Prize: US$1,000,000
• Runner-up: US$250,000

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Circular Economy