The announcement was made by the Royal Academy of Engineering, which received applications from a record 30 countries across the continent.

The Africa Prize, launched in 2014, is the largest award in Africa that supports engineering innovation.

Its goal is to encourage and reward new ideas and entrepreneurship across sub-Saharan Africa.

Since it began, the Africa Prize has helped 149 businesses in 22 African countries by offering training, mentorship, and communication support.

These businesses have created over 28,000 jobs and their innovations have improved the lives of more than 10 million people.

The 16 shortlisted innovators for the 2025 edition have introduced creative solutions to tackle environmental, health, and education challenges in their communities.

The top winner will receive £25,000 (around $32,000), while three runners-up will each get £10,000 (about $13,000).

An additional “One-to-Watch” award worth £5,000 ($6,500) will be given to the participant who delivers the most impactful pitch during the award ceremony.

Here are the shortlisted innovators and their solutions:

• Frank Owusu (Ghana) – Aquamet: A device that checks water quality in fisheries and sends real-time alerts to farmers’ phones to improve fish yields.

• Nura Izath (Uganda) – Autothermo: A wearable device for newborns that monitors body temperature and breathing, sending alerts using easy-to-understand emojis.

• Peter Njeri (Kenya) – Community Kitchens Powered by Renewable Energy: A clean cooking solution using gas made from recycled plastic in community kitchens.

• Carol Ofafa (Kenya) – E-Safiri: A project promoting electric mobility through nationwide charging stations and battery swap points powered by both solar and grid energy.

• Edgar Edmund Tarimo (Tanzania) – Eco Plastic Wood: Transforms plastic waste into high-quality timber and furniture.

• Rui Bauhofer (Mozambique) – Eco-Plates: Biodegradable plates made from maize husks, which contain seeds that grow when thrown away.

• Sam Kodo (Togo) – FarmBot: An autonomous robot that tracks crop growth, detects pests, and collects soil data to help farmers.

• Editha Mshiu (Tanzania) – FreshPack: A cold storage system made from special materials that work without electricity to keep food fresh longer.

• James Nyamai (Kenya) – Hybrid Solar Dryers: Agricultural dryers powered by both solar and biofuels, helping reduce post-harvest losses in any weather.

• Paschal Kija (Tanzania) – Mkanda Salama: A wearable massaging belt designed to prevent maternal deaths by managing post-birth bleeding.

• Vivian Arinaitwe (Uganda) – Neo Nest: A warming and monitoring device for newborns that sends real-time health data to healthcare workers.

• Chinelo Okafor (Nigeria) – Play and Learn Web App: An AI-powered tool that improves digital skills and creates personalized learning paths.

• Margaret Wanjiku (Kenya) – Smart Hive Device and Precision Pollination Technology: AI-based technology that monitors beehives to prevent bee colony collapse and boost crop production.

• Shabo Andrew (Tanzania) – Smart Luku: A smart electricity meter that allows tenants in shared housing to track and pay for their own electricity use.

• Ahmed Maruf (Nigeria) – Sustainable Agro-Tech Solution: A project that recycles scrap metal into affordable machines for farming and industry.

• Elly Savatia (Kenya) – TERP 360: An AI tool that translates spoken words into sign language in real time, helping people with hearing disabilities.

The Africa Prize continues to highlight the potential of African innovators to create solutions that make a difference in their communities and beyond.