Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa for African Entrepreneurs 2021

The Austrian Federal Chancellery is inviting African social entrepreneurs and purpose-driven enterprises with a measurable social impact and sustainable business model to apply in order to bring their social impact to scale and benefit as many Africans as possible.

Let us connect African, European and Austrian entrepreneurs to scale up and boost the social impact of innovative digital solutions. 

With the Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa, the Austrian Federal Chancellery, together with well-renowned partner organizations, is looking to support innovative and digital healthcare solutions across Africa and boost their impact.    

The Call will be open to African social entrepreneurs and purpose-driven enterprises with a measurable social impact and sustainable business model. The focus of the first edition of the Kofi Annan Award for Africa will be on Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

About Kofi Annan Foundation

Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa

Aim and Benefits of Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa

With your application for the Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa you will get the chance to 

• win up to EUR 250,000 in grants as a finalist and attend a 12-month accelerator program 
• participate in a 5-day innovation bootcamp
• present your solution to a distinguished jury
• network with mentors, investors and potential business partners
• gain international exposure

Let us connect African, European and Austrian entrepreneurs to scale up and boost the social impact of innovative digital solutions. 

Requirements for Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa Qualification

Innovations submitted for the Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa will be evaluated and selected according to the following criteria: 

1. Impact & Scalability: The idea has the potential to positively impact the health and wellbeing of a specific population. 
2. Business Model: the project has a scalable product/service with sustainable revenue generation and scalable financial model. 
3. Team: The team members have relevant experience, are committed to the project and ability to implement the solution. 
4. Innovativeness: The idea is a new technology, the approach of applying existing technology, process or business model addressing a problem. 
5. Traction: The innovation has shown demonstrable results in terms revenue, customers, investments, or grants.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa

Nine candidate teams will be selected to further develop their solutions in the 5-day intensive Innovation Bootcamp and consequently pitch their solutions in front of a high-level jury. 

Alongside this, candidates will further benefit from the Support Network of the Kofi Annan Award for Africa – a community of passionate and engaged mentors, investors, consultants, corporate partners and industry experts who share one goal: to help social entrepreneurs get access to the right resources at the right time.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Kofi Annan Foundation website.