After a successful first edition, the second edition of the Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa is committed to identifying and supporting innovative solutions that enhance food security and food systems resilience throughout Africa. As such, the Kofi Annan Foundation seeks innovative solutions from across Africa that contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger, with a strong focus on achieving food security and improving nutrition.
The 2024 Kofi Annan Award seeks to support technology-powered solutions and approaches that are helping to improve food security and systems in African countries.
WORTH
The programme offers:
- Acceleration Bootcamp: Nine(9) promising teams will participate in the inafullyvirtualWFP Innovation Bootcamp. During this boot camp, participants will have valuable opportunities to collaborate with technical and industry mentors who will provide expert guidance to refine further and develop their innovative solutions.
- Funding opportunities: Ventures that successfully progress to the BootCamp stage will gain the eligibility to apply for equity-free funding, with the possibility of receiving financial support of up to EUR250,000 per innovation for a total of three awards.
- Sprint programme: The three ventures selected to receive EUR250,000 in equity-free funding will also be welcomed into a WFPSprintProgramme. This 12-month acceleration program grants access to mentorship, a global network of influential partners, and resources designed to expedite their growth and impact.
- Network of innovators: All nine ventures, regardless of funding outcomes, will have the opportunity to harness and leverage a robust network of pertinent businesses, investors, and mentors, enhancing their potential for long-term success and sustainability.
ELIGIBILITY
- Your venture must be a for-profit legal entity and incorporated for at least two years at the time of application.
- Your solution is anchored in at least one African country.
- The applicant must have existing contacts/presence in the country of implementation: country office or other permanent presence, subsidiary, long-term operations, or partnerships in the country.
- Your innovation clearly addresses one or more priority topics included in this call for applications.
- Your innovation has more than 1 million people in the total addressable market.
- Your innovation must be at least at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)stage; a validated prototype with user testing can also be eligible.
- Your solution should have a committed founding team with at least three full-time employees.
DEADLINE: February 8, 2024
To apply and for more information, apply here.
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