With increased suppression of the social fabric in many communities in Africa as a result of COVID-19, and in consideration of the fact that a large population of Africans are generally living in difficult conditions, the ability for countries’ readiness for digital solutions, could significantly help address some of these challenges. The ATU Africa Innovation Challenge 2020 therefore seeks to recognize the disruptive innovations and new business models that have the capacity to change Africa.
The Challenge is a call for innovators in Africa to submit their applications/innovations designed with the ability to respond to societal issues, and in particular, offer unique solutions to Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The innovation should also have the capacity to transcend COVID-19 and retain applicability in other emergency situations.
The ATU Africa Innovation Challenge is anticipated to be instrumental in identifying, testing and highlighting innovative adaptation approaches with potential to be replicated and scaled up through cooperation with institutional investors, bilateral or multilateral providers of finance, and other sources. The emphasis for the Challenge will be on continuous innovation and learning with regard to the need for offering pragmatic solutions.
Participants stand the chance to win Cash awards, Mentorship opportunities and Training & capacity building.
Top Prize(s)
•USD.5000 for the winner
•USD.3000 for the 1st runners up
•USD.1000 for the 2nd runners up
All participants who will not emerge as winners but make it to the 2nd and final phase of the competition will be awarded with USD. 100 each.
Competition Structure
The contestants for the ATU Innovation Challenge 2020 will be drawn from all African countries with membership to ATU, to compete at a regional level during the 1st phase of the competition. The best from each region will then compete at the continental level during the last and final phase of the competition.
Competition Terms and Conditions
Every participant will be required to be responsive to the following terms and conditions as a minimum, to be able to take part in the Challenge
i. The competition is open to all persons not born before the year 1985 and who hold citizenship of any of the African countries that form the membership of the African Telecommunications Union.
ii. Each participant can submit one entry only.
iii. The competition runs from 20th August 2020 to 14th October 2020.
iv. All entries must be submitted before 14th September 2020.
v. Entries will be judged by a panel of judges according to the set guidelines, theme of the competition, novelty/ originality of the entry as well as the pragmatic promise of the entry.
vi. All participants must register for the competition by completing the official registration entry form.
vii. All submissions must be the participant’s own work.
viii. All winning participants as outlined in the category of winners must agree to the subsequent use of their submitted entries for non-profit reference and promotional use only on ATU and partner communications and engagements.
ix. All participants retain full rights of their entries with the exception of winners who will surrender ONLY the right to the subsequent use of their entries for non-profit reference and promotional use only on ATU and partner communications and engagements.
x. Employees of ATU, ICT Regulatory Bodies and Associate Members cannot take part in the Challenge.
xi. There is no fee to enter the competition.
Important Dates
•20th August 2020: Launch event
•14th September 2020: Deadline for submission of innovation by contestants for the regional assessment
•25th September 2020: Close of regional review of submission by panelists and selection of regional finalists
•5th October 2020: Close of the 2nd and final review and selection of overall winner, 1st and 2nd runners up
•14th October 2020: ATU Africa Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony
Our partners
Huawei Technologies Company Limited(Title sponsors): www.huawei.com
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC): newsroom.intel.com/intel.com.
The GSMA: www.gsma.com
