AfricaTech Awards

Boost Africa's innovation & help tackle the issues of today.

 

About AfricaTech Awards


VivaTech, with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), launched the first edition of the AfricaTech Awards, a pan-African initiative developed to recognize and support impactful start-ups across three key sectors - Climate Tech, Health Tech and FinTech. 

Tech start-ups can provide much-needed solutions to pressing global challenges, promote inclusion, and foster sustainable development. However, despite increasing interest from investors, start-ups across the continent too often struggle to find the capital they need to scale their innovations. The AfricaTech Awards aim to help create new market opportunities for emerging start-ups with great impact potential in Africa, catalyzing support and inspiring action from investors, policymakers, fellow entrepreneurs, and leading institutions in the tech space. 

If you missed the first edition of the AfricaTech Awards, check out the winners and watch the replay!

Watch the replay

 

About VivaTech


Viva Technology is Europe's biggest start-up and tech event.
 
We act as a powerful global catalyst for digital transformation and start-up growth. Every year, VivaTech brings together in Paris and online the greatest business leaders, start-ups, investors, researchers and innovators to ignite positive change in business and for society. The 6th edition of VivaTech is taking place 15-18 June 2022.
 
 
 

About International Finance Corporation (IFC)

 
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.
 
We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In the fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

 
  
 

The Challenges

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Climate Tech
Challenge
Solutions that can reduce emissions, protect the environment, and help communities become more climate resilient.
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Health Tech
Challenge
Solutions that can expand access to healthcare among underserved communities, reduce the cost of services, and boost innovation in the healthcare sector.


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FinTech
Challenge
Solutions that can expand access to financial services among underserved communities, promote financial inclusion and financial literacy, and improve the efficiency of the banking infrastructure.

Rewards for the Finalists

The top 9 start-ups (3 in each category) will receive:

 

  • 🎤
  • 🤝

🎤

 
  • Join the event (flight, booth and passes)
  • Pitch on stage on the AfricaTech Lab
  • Take part in the official AfricaTech Awards ceremony

🤝

  • Network with top corporate partners
  • Pitch your start-up to top VC funds
  • Refine your ideas with fellow entrepreneurs

 
  • Get highlighted in the VivaTech program
  • Get featured on social media and different media outlets

Rewards for Winners

The category winners will receive:

 

 
Climate Tech Winner
Introduction to the IFC Climate Tech Specialist and key industry players
Access to New Energy Nexus' global clean energy ecosystem network and its local networks in Uganda and Nigeria
 
Health Tech Winner
Introduction to the IFC Health Tech specialist and key industry players
 
FinTech Winner  
Introduction to IFC FinTech investment team and IFC partner VC funds 
Mentoring Session with the CMO of Cassava Technologies
Mentorship from Sasai FinTech team 

Selection Criteria

 
Impact

Product/solution with proven results in addressing pressing issues affecting society and/or the environment

Innovation

Originality and innovation level of the tech solution compared to existing alternatives (problem-solving approach, characteristics of the technology used, patented processes or components, etc.)

Scalability

Market size and scalability potential of the start-up (total addressable market, potential to expand to other markets, etc.)

Team profile

Level of experience and size of the team (number of employees, level and diversity of expertise, entrepreneurship and/or academic background, etc.)

Business model

 Demonstrated traction and product-market fit (maturity of the start-up, commercial traction, number of clients, annual global turnover growth, etc.)

Timeline

 

7

MARCH

Challenges Opening

25

MARCH

End of the challenge

2

MAY

Official Announcement of the Top 45 start-ups
(15 per category)

31

MAY

Press Release: Official announcement of the 9 finalists (3 in each category)

15-18

JUNE

VivaTech Event
AfricaTech Awards Ceremony 

The Co-Hosts

 
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The Multi-Category Sponsor

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The Climate Tech Sponsor

 
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The FinTech Sponsor

 
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The Health Tech Sponsor

 
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The Knowledge Partner

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The Ambassadors