Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025

Create breakthrough solutions that thrive under constraints and unlock Africa's deep tech potential.

📖 About Africa Deep Tech Challenge

The Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025 is powered by Future Africa in collaboration with Ilorin Tech Hub, CcHub, and IHS. The theme, Resource-Constrained Computing, is a pan-African challenge designed to spotlight and empower the next generation of innovators solving complex problems with limited resources.

Whether it’s building AI models on edge devices, designing offline-first systems, decentralized compute, or developing energy-efficient tech, this challenge invites participants to rethink what’s possible when constraints inspire creativity.

What is Resource-Constrained Computing?

Resource-constrained computing solutions focus on optimizing computational tasks when resources like power, memory, and processing capabilities are limited. These solutions are often applied in devices like communication devices, sensors, and embedded systems.

This challenge isn’t just about code or hardware—it’s about the journey. Builders are encouraged to create solutions and tell the story of how they solved Africa’s unique infrastructural realities. From agriculture to fintech, education to health, participants are encouraged to build in any domain, as long as their solutions thrive under real-world constraints.

🏆 Judging Criteria

Participants will be judged based on the following criteria:

1. Technical Implementation (30%)

   • Functionality and performance in resource-constrained environments
   • Application and understanding of first principles
   • Code/hardware quality and efficiency
   • Integration of complementary technologies
   • Effective use of limited computing resources

2. Creative Problem-Solving (30%)

   • Novel approaches to addressing constraints
   • Elegant solutions to complex problems
   • Innovative application of existing technologies
   • Adaptability to varying resource limitations

3. Process Documentation (20%)

   • Quality and comprehensiveness of development documentation
   • Clarity of thought process and decision-making
   • Evidence of learning and iteration
   • Transparency about challenges and solutions

4. Tool Orchestration (10%)

   • Effective use of AI and other tools in the development process
   • Strategic application of automation where appropriate
   • Balance between human creativity and AI assistance
   • Documentation of tool selection and usage

5. Usability and Relevance (10%)

   • Practical application in African contexts
   • User experience considerations
   • Potential for real-world impact
   • Scalability in resource-constrained environments

🎁 Benefits of Africa Deep Tech Challenge

A total of $20,000 in prizes will be awarded:

First Place

• $8,000 in cash
• 1 winner

Second Place

• $5,000 in cash
• 1 winner

Third Place

• $3,000 in cash
• 1 winner

IHS Challenge Prize – Power Management Category

• $4,000 in cash
• 1 winner

✅ Requirements

What to Build

Participants must build a working prototype that solves a real-world problem using resource-constrained computing. This could include:

• Low-power solutions
• Offline capabilities
• Small-data AI models
• Efficient edge computing
• Smart adaptations to limited computing environments

Solutions can apply to any domain, including:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Smart cities
• Fintech
• Climate
• Entertainment
• Agriculture
• Gaming

What to Submit

Participants must submit:

1. A functional prototype or demo of the solution.
2. A comprehensive project report including:
   • Problem definition and context
   • Identified constraints (e.g., power, data, compute, connectivity)
   • Documentation of design alternatives and final decisions
   • Tools used (AI, IoT, etc.) and reasons for their selection
   • Performance tests and benchmarks
   • Screenshots or short videos showing the solution in action
3. A short video (max 2 minutes) explaining the solution and development journey.
4. Updated documentation and video (if part of the semi-final or final round).

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
• How to Apply: Visit the Africa Deep Tech Challenge Application Portal to apply.

🌟 Sponsor Organisation

The challenge is sponsored by the Africa Deep Tech Foundation.

🔗 Additional Information

For more details, visit the Africa Deep Tech Challenge official page.

• $20,000 in prizes
  • First Place: $8,000 in cash (1 winner)
  • Second Place: $5,000 in cash (1 winner)
  • Third Place: $3,000 in cash (1 winner)
  • IHS Challenge Prize – Power Management Category: $4,000 in cash (1 winner)