ABOUT

      35 projects

     45 countries      

         +2500

     applications

Since 2016, the AFD Digital Challenge has been rewarding the most innovative African startups, associations and research centers in terms of digital technology and solving sustainable development goals on the continent. After 5 years of existence, 35 African start-ups have benefited from financial support and coaching to scale up their businesses. The digital revolution is transforming the African continent, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs who combine innovation, economic performance and social and/or environmental impact. When addressing climate and biodiversity issues, information and communication technologies are, most of the time, considered through their negative impacts (infrastructure, electronic waste, data storage...).

Speakers

THEMES

Startups, associations and research centers developing digital solutions on the themes presented below are eligible.

Reducing the digital

footprint:

• Digital tools and services for the reduced energy consumption of networks and data centers,

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• eco-construction and tools used to reduce the consumption of terminals and boxes,

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• eco-design of digital equipment and services,

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• recycling of electronic waste.

Innovating to build a sustainable economy:

• Digital technology to reduce the impact of land, air, sea and river transport,

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• digital technology to promote sustainable territories,

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• digital services for the dissemination of best environmental and climate practices for the public sector, businesses and citizens,

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• digital services for green finance,

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• digital tools and services for agro-ecology, traceability and limiting agricultural losses.

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Preserving natural resources:

• Preventing and reacting to natural disasters: data and prediction, warning systems, business continuity plans for climate incidents, civil protection systems, etc.

• contributing to the preservation of ecosystems and helping the most vulnerable populations to adapt to climate change.

AWARDS

TERMS

ELIGIBILITY

1. Your project is related to one of the themes presented above and detailed in the rules

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TIMELINE

2.  Your project is already on the market and is in the               seed/launch phase

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3.  Your project has a legal structure as well as a                         sustainable and autonomous business model

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4.  Digital technology is at the heart of your solution

You're a start-up, an association, or a research center and you meet our eligibility criteria?

Then apply before May 26th, 2021!

2020 EDITION WINNERS

The 4th edition of the AFD Digital Challenge was aimed at digital projects promoting the development of sustainable cities, in accordance with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG).

Participants

Topics

Sessions

ORGANIZERS

AFD is a public and socially responsible bank and a key player in French development policy. We are committed to projects that make a tangible difference to people's daily lives in developing and emerging countries, and in Overseas France.

Operating in a wide range of sectors - energy, health, biodiversity, water, digital technology, and training - we support the transition to a safer, fairer and more sustainable world: a shared world. Our action is entirely in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Present in 108 countries through a network of 85 agencies, we currently finance and monitor over 2,500 development projects.

Digital Africa est une démarche d’innovation ouverte et inclusive, dans l’esprit des « Communs », qui vise à soutenir la dynamique entrepreneuriale africaine, impulser l’innovation par le numérique, et accompagner l’émergence d’entrepreneurs à impact. Le label Digital Africa fédère les initiatives et les écosystèmes d’innovation africains, pour les accompagner en leur donnant accès à des ressources et des opportunités d’affaires, et les met en relation avec les écosystèmes d’innovation européens pour penser ensemble, le futur.

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