African Climate Innovation Challenge (ACIC) 2023

The ACIC is a project jointly developed and implemented by 3 E’s 4 Africa, GAYO and Start.Up Lounge to focus on the innovative minds and projects of young Africans and encourage and empower them to create a local impact in their communities. It is an idea contest which challenges young Africans to come up with innovative, green ideas and help them develop into real solutions.

Young Africans apply with ideas for solving environmental problems with an entrepreneurial mindset. The best 10 concepts are selected as the ACIC Cohort. They will go through an online curriculum consisting of training and digital workshops as well as P2P sessions between mentors and participants. This gives an opportunity to the team to work on and develop their ideas further.

Topics covered include environmental protection, climate change, social engagement, digital literacy, project management and business creation/management. The best teams will be invited to the African Climate Week in Nairobi where the pitch event will take place.

Benefits

• Up to $15,000 USD in prize money for the three winning teams to directly implement their innovative start-up ideas in their communities.

• Tailor made curriculum as well as dedicated peer-to-peer mentorship for all participants to further develop their start-up ideas.

• 3 months incubation for all 10 selected teams to move past their ideation stage and turn their ideas into reality.

• Pitch your project during the African Union Commission (AUC) in Nairobi

Eligibility 

• Before applying, make sure your team and yourself are willing and able to commit to the program of the ACIC

• You should be a team of 2 – 6 people. Applications from teams with less than 2 people and more than 6 people will not be considered

• Although not required, we specifically want to encourage female-led teams and teams with 40% – 50% female participants

• All the members of your team must be of African descent and based in Africa

• Existing and officially registered start-ups will not be considered

• The idea you are applying must be centered around climate change mitigation and/or climate change adaptation

• All members of your team must be between 18 and 35 years old

• All members of the team must have a good mastery of the English language