Innovation prize for Africa extends deadline

At an event featuring Senegal's minister and deputy chief of staff of the president for the Republic of Senegal, Moubarack Lo, the IPA team highlighted the need to invest in innovation to accelerate economic growth on the continent. The event in Dakar was organised in collaboration with the Senegalese Science Academy and Technology, represented its president, Professor Ahmadou Lamine Ndiaye.

"We know that innovation can be an engine for economic development. We continue to look for innovations that have commercial potential and are effective in the long term," said Pauline Mujawamariya of the African Innovation Foundation.

Only innovations by Africans for Africans are eligible to enter for the IPA 2013. Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance to Africa. The winning proposal will be awarded a cash prize of US$100 000, with the two runners-up each receiving US$25 000.

"We want to encourage young people across the continent to be interested in science, technology and engineering as rewarding careers" said Eskedar Nega, program officer in ICT policy at UNECA.

For more, go to www.innovationprizeforafrica.org