The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, the continent’s largest award dedicated to engineering excellence, has unveiled its 2025 shortlist, with five Kenyan innovators making the cut. Created by the Royal Academy of Engineering, the prize celebrates groundbreaking solutions that address some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, from food security and renewable energy to healthcare and inclusive technology.
Since its inception in 2014, the Prize has supported 149 businesses across 22 countries, providing mentorship, training, and funding opportunities. Collectively, these businesses have secured $39 million in funding and created employment for over 28,000 people, impacting more than 10 million lives.
This year, the 2025 Africa Prize shortlist includes 16 innovators from seven African nations: Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Togo. The innovations range from life-saving maternal and neonatal healthcare devices to smart agritech solutions, AI-driven sign language translation, and renewable energy-powered community kitchens.
Kenyan Innovators Shortlisted for the 2025 Africa Prize
The five Kenyan innovators and their projects recognized in this year’s shortlist include:
- Margaret Wanjiku (Nairobi) – Smart Hive Device and Precision Pollination Technology: A smart AI-powered device that monitors key beehive metrics to combat bee colony collapse and enhance crop yields.
- Peter Njeri (Nairobi) – Community Kitchens Powered by Renewable Energy: A clean cooking initiative that powers community kitchens with an alternative gas source made from recycled plastic waste.
- Carol Ofafa (Kisumu) – E-Safiri: A project dedicated to expanding electric mobility adoption by deploying solar-powered charging stations and battery swapping points across Kenya.
- James Nyamai (Nairobi) – Hybrid Solar Dryers: Hybrid agricultural dryers that use both solar and biofuels, ensuring efficient drying for farmers even during the rainy season.
- Elly Savatia (Nairobi) – TERP 360: An AI-powered translation device that converts spoken words into real-time sign language, enhancing accessibility for the deaf community.
Spotlight on the Africa Prize and Its Impact
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation is more than just an award; it’s a comprehensive business accelerator. The 16 shortlisted innovators will participate in an eight-month training program, covering essential business skills such as financial management, market analysis, and business development. They will also receive expert mentoring from engineers, business leaders, and investors across Africa and the UK.
Over the next few months, the innovators will refine their solutions, culminating in a final event in Senegal in October 2025, where four finalists will compete for the grand prize. The winner will receive £25,000, while three runners-up will each receive £10,000. Additionally, a ‘One-to-Watch’ award of £5,000 will be given to the most impactful pitch.
Global Recognition and Success Stories
Neo Hutiri, the 2019 Africa Prize winner and 2024 Alumni Medalist, highlighted the transformational impact of the Prize. His innovation, Pelebox, a smart locker system for dispensing chronic medication, expanded into over 100 healthcare facilities in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, thanks to the exposure gained from the Prize.
Speaking on the importance of the Africa Prize, Rebecca Enonchong, CEO of AppsTech and a judge, remarked:
“This year’s shortlist reflects the power of African innovation. Many of these solutions focus on neonatal healthcare, food security, and upcycling—areas that are critical to Africa’s future. We look forward to seeing these entrepreneurs grow their solutions into sustainable businesses.”
Diverse Innovations from Across Africa
Beyond Kenya, this year’s shortlist features innovations such as:
- Aquamet (Ghana): AI-powered water quality monitoring for fisheries.
- Autothermo (Uganda): A smart neonatal monitoring bracelet for newborns.
- FarmBot (Togo): A robotic agritech solution for monitoring crops and soil conditions.
- FreshPack (Tanzania): An electricity-free cold storage solution inspired by human skin.
- Eco-Plates (Mozambique): Biodegradable plates made from maize husks, infused with seeds that grow into plants when discarded.
Next Steps and Future Applications
Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated throughout their training, and the finalists will be announced later in the year. Applications for the 2026 Africa Prize will open in July 2025, with a new two-stage application process aimed at streamlining submissions and assessments.
As the Africa Prize continues to empower innovators, the spotlight remains on how engineering-driven solutions can transform Africa’s socio-economic landscape, addressing critical challenges while driving sustainable development.
For more details, visit the Royal Academy of Engineering’s website or follow the Africa Prize updates on social media.
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