Dates

  • Initial Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025

  • Semi-Finalists Announced: August 14, 2025

  • Semi-Final Submission Deadline: August 28, 2025

  • Finalists Announced: September 4, 2025

  • Live Finals + Winner Announcement: September 13, 2025

Eligibility

  • Open to individuals or teams of up to 4 members.

  • Participants must be aged 18 or older and reside in any of the listed African countries.

  • No prior startup or funding status required—this challenge is for emerging innovators.

  • All submissions must be the original work of the team.

  • Teams can use open-source tools or libraries but must cite them clearly.

  • You agree to the Challenge Participation Agreement

Project and Submission Requirements

To be considered for judging, participants must submit the following:

  • A working prototype that addresses a real-world challenge using resource-constrained computing principles (e.g., limited power, low compute, offline functionality).

  • A comprehensive documentation package including:

    • Problem definition and identified constraints

    • Alternative design explorations and final decisions

    • Tools and technologies used (especially AI, IoT, ML, etc.)

    • Technical implementation details and performance benchmarks

    • Screenshots or short video walkthroughs of the development process

    • Final video presentation (max 2 mins) demonstrating the solution and journey

     

  • Semi-finalists and finalists will be required to submit updated documentation and enhanced versions of their solutions.

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 during the finals

    • 1:1 mentorship with deep tech professionals

    • Professional documentation support

    • Access to partner network

     

  • Semi-Finalists (At most 20):

    • Recognition certificate

    • Access to mentorship, workshops, and extended learning resources

     

All participants get access to webinars, templates, technical resources, and a vibrant community of innovators.

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of industry experts, researchers, and investors based on the following weighted criteria:

Criteria   Weight
Technical Implementation
  • Functionality and performance in resource-constrained environments
  • Application and understanding of first principles
  • Code / Hardware quality and efficiency
  • Integration of complementary deep technologies
  • Effective use of limited computing resources
 30%
Creative Problem-Solving
  • Novel approaches to addressing constraints
  • Elegant solutions to complex problems
  • Innovative application of existing technologies
  • Adaptability to varying resource limitations
 30%
Process Documentation
  • Quality and comprehensiveness of development documentation
  • Clarity of thought process and decision-making
  • Evidence of learning and iteration
  • Transparency about challenges and solutions
 20%
Tool Orchestration
  • Effective use of AI and other tools in the development process
  • Strategic application of automation where appropriate
  • Balance between human creativity and AI assistance
  • Documentation of tool selection and usage
 10%
Relevance to African Context
  • Practical application in African contexts
  • User experience considerations
  • Potential for real-world impact
  • Scalability in resource-constrained environments
 10%

Judges will assess both the final solution and the development journey. Emphasis will be placed on how participants approached problem-solving under constraints, made thoughtful technical decisions, and demonstrated innovation throughout the process.

Top scorers will advance to the live finals, where finalists will showcase their work in real time. Judges will evaluate their ability to adapt, think on their feet, and explain their approach clearly to a live audience.

 

Eligible Countries

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Congo the Democratic Republic of the
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Djibouti
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Note: This was the former name of Libya)
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • Swaziland (now known as Eswatini)
  • Tanzania United Republic of
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe