Explore the 2022 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation Interactive Showcase, spotlighting the shortlist, finalists and this year's winner.
Norah Magero has won the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 2022 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation with Vaccibox, a small, mobile, solar-powered fridge that safely stores and transports medicines like vaccines, for use in field vaccinations and remote clinics. Norah is the first Kenyan to win the award in its eight-year history, and the second woman. Watch the Africa Prize final here, to see our 16 entrepreneurs pitch their innovations.
Support, funding and opportunities for African entrepreneurs
Now in its eighth year, the Prize awards commercialisation support to African innovators developing scalable engineering solutions to local challenges. These innovations show the importance of engineering in improving quality of life and economic development. The Africa Prize offers a unique benefits package for up to 16 shortlisted participants to help accelerate their business including:
- Access to business and technical expertise and sector specific engineering mentoring
- Bespoke press coverage and communications support
- Seven month tailored training programme
- Access to the Academy’s network of high profile engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa.
- Opportunity for finalists to present their innovation to a judging panel at the Africa prize showcase event
- Prize money of up to £25,000
Accelerating business growth for African engineering start ups
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation was launched in March 2014 to stimulate, celebrate and reward innovation and entrepreneurship across sub-Saharan Africa.
Since then it has provided invaluable training, mentoring and communications support to 102 businesses across 16 countries. It also has an established alumni programme with 71% of Africa Prize alumni currently generating revenue. Our alumni have also raised $14 million in grants and equity.
African innovations funded by the Africa Prize
African innovators network creating a sustainable society for all
The Academy’s network of African entrepreneurs, researchers and institutions work across different sectors, improving sustainability, generating employment and progressing technology. The guide below outlines the four areas where African innovations are making a difference to their communities.
Read our guide on sustainable innovation in Africa
International Women's Day 2022
Equality is one world’s greatest challenges, and entrepreneurship and innovation has the unique potential to empower the voices of people who have traditionally been left out of the conversation. The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation has supported 27 women from 14 countries across the continent with crucial business training and mentorship. Watch our new video to find out more about the women supported by the Africa Prize.
Norah Magero wins with VacciBox - a small, portable and solar powered box designed to transport temperature sensitive medicines.
The latest news for the Africa Prize and inspirational stories from our awardees.
Download business guides on investment, marketing and communications as well as educational resources.
Related programmes
Full details on how to apply, eligibility and FAQs.
See which countries are awardees are working in.
Hear about the business achievements and insights of our current and recent awardees.
News and Resources
Alumni business grants open for applications.
Africa Prize Spin off activities
More on the African Innovation Fellowship, Engineering a better world and STEM education resources.
Our supporters
The Africa Prize is generously supported by The Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund and the UK Government's Global Challenges Research Fund.
We are grateful to our community partner, AstraZeneca, for their support.
Historical sponsors have included Consolidated Contractors Company, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Africa Prosperity Fund, ConocoPhillips and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
If you would like to know more or are interested in being involved please contact the Africa Prize team at the Royal Academy of Engineering