Botswana hosts Innovation Prize for Africa
The decision to host IPA in Botswana received endorsement from the Botswana President, Seretse Khama Ian Khama. Its selection as host country for IPA 2016 is seen in its commitment towards building its national innovation ecosystem. This is demonstrated by the government's catalytic role in capitalising on and supporting the knowledge economy through the development of a 57-acre Science Park, BIH. The iconic building in the BIH Park will be launched in September 2016, as Botswana celebrates 50 years of independence.
"Hosting IPA 2016 and celebrating African ingenuity in Gaborone will afford Botswana an opportunity to showcase its commitment to putting innovation at the centre of its development strategy," says the Botswana Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Nonofo Molefhi. "We are greatly honoured to have been selected to host IPA 2016 and look forward to showcasing the positive strides Botswana and indeed Africa is making in the innovation landscape."
Extending opportunities beyond award ceremony
This year's event with its 'Made in Africa' theme promises to be groundbreaking, extending beyond the Awards ceremony. AIF is offering several avenues of opportunity for local, national, regional and international growth and exposure to Africa's next cadre of innovators. The event will provide an unprecedented platform for African innovators and innovation enablers to network, share knowledge, explore business opportunities and boost collaboration.
The theme is based on the belief that Africa can position itself on the world map through self-innovation, carving its own success story of growth economies and creating incentives to commercialise and scale up homegrown innovations.
Walter Fust, AIF Chairman of the Board, says, "We are delighted to collaborate with the Botswana government in celebrating African ingenuity. With its many inspiring and success stories, Botswana is an excellent choice to host the fifth edition of IPA, helping us continue to catalyse the innovation spirit in Africa. 'Made in Africa' heralds a message of enterprise and prosperity for African innovators, and we encourage more Africans, especially young people and women to create transformation through innovation - not only in their lives - but in the broader community and their respective economies."
Selection, prizes
The IPA Call for Applications ran from August to October 2015 and attracted more than 3,600 respondents from 50 African countries, clearly demonstrating the creative potential that exists in Africa. Proposed innovations highlighted African ingenuity in diverse fields, from agriculture and technologies to green energy initiatives. The expert panel of judges will carefully select Africa's new crop of ingenuity this year from 985 successful submissions spanning 46 African countries through a rigorous, transparent process of critique, validation, interview and consensus.
The prizes offered are:
• Grand prize of US $100,000
• Second Prize of US $25,000
• Special Prize for Social Impact US $25,000
• Voucher for each IPA nominee of US $5,000
• Business development support for top 10 young innovators selected post Awards event
• Business development support for top 10 women innovators selected post Awards event
IPA is a landmark programme of the AIF, whose purpose is to increase the prosperity of Africans by catalysing the innovation spirit in Africa. It celebrates its 5-year milestone in helping to shape the innovation landscape in Africa. To date, it has attracted more than 6,000 innovators from 50 African countries, making it a Pan-African initiative. For more information, go to www.innovationprizeforafrica.org.
