Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025

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

powered by Future Africa and in collaboration with Ilorin Tech Hub, CcHub, and IHS

Meet the Semifinalists

These 16 outstanding projects have been selected as semifinalists for the Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025.

Finalists will be announced on September 4, 2025, and winners on September 13, 2025.

Edge Vendr - Snooker Billiard Ticketing Control System

This project develops a modular, smart electronic controller that retrofits onto existing snooker tables to enable digital payments and automated revenue collection, transforming the traditional cash-only system into an IoT-enabled experience for players and business owners.

Automates snooker tables, enables cashless play.

Muscle

IHS Prize

Muscle POS is a handheld, portable, and battery-powered device that revolutionizes small retail operations in Africa through barcode scanning, real-time inventory tracking, and transaction processing.

Digitizes African small retail operations.

Feem

Feem is an advanced, cross-platform offline file transfer tool with built-in chat, designed for fast, local sharing without internet dependency, and expanding to include offline hardware called The Feem Box.

Offline cross-platform file transfer.

Project FarmSpeak

IHS Prize

FarmSpeak empowers livestock farmers with a solar-powered IoT device (Smart PenKeep) for pen climate monitoring and automation, and an AI-powered farm management app (FS Manager) for tracking, disease detection, and planning, enabling efficient farm control in resource-constrained environments.

Empowers farmers with smart tools.

METAL

METAL is a low-cost, wireless payment transmitter that enables secure, contactless, and offline mobile payments in Nigeria by leveraging the existing NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) infrastructure without relying on NFC, debit cards, or constant internet connectivity on the customer's device.

Offline, contactless, low-cost payments.

AgroBot AI

IHS Prize

AgroBot AI is an autonomous, AI-powered robot that performs on-the-spot soil testing and provides instant, tailored recommendations for seed selection, fertilizer use, and water management to smallholder farmers.

AI robot aids farmers.

FLUDIX-PET AUTOMATED INFUSION PUMP

FLUDIX is an intelligent, automated infusion management system with a wearable Vital Band that continuously monitors patient vitals and automatically adjusts IV fluid delivery to enhance safety, precision, and responsiveness, especially in critical care and under-resourced settings.

Automated IV fluid management.

Votelink

IHS Prize

VoteLink is an offline-first, secure voting system utilizing Raspberry Pi, fingerprint scanning, and blockchain integration to enable verifiable, privacy-preserving votes even without internet access, with post-election syncing for transparency.

Enables secure, offline, verifiable voting.

SMART SAFE GUARD

This project is an automated system that continuously checks for gas leaks, alerts users through various methods (screen, buzzer, phone), and automatically cuts off electricity to prevent explosions.

Automated gas leak detection system.

ScaleNodes

IHS Prize

ScaleNodes is a developer-first cloud platform offering scalable hosting, backend infrastructure, and container-based deployments for African businesses, aiming to physically locate its servers in Kenya.

Scalable cloud platform for Africa

Heard

Heard is a wearable, real-time speech-to-text HUD that visually displays transcriptions of spoken speech to improve face-to-face communication for the hearing-impaired.

Speech-to-text HUD for deaf.

PERWER

IHS Prize

PERWER is a smart, ultra-low-power technology that tracks energy use at mini-grids and telecom towers, monitoring temperature, power flow, battery health, and fuel usage, and sending real-time updates to a dashboard.

Tracks and manages energy usage.

Cure Bionics

Cure Bionics develops smart, lightweight, and customizable bionic prosthetic arms enhanced with 3D printing and AI, offering myoelectric control, adjustable sockets, a mobile app with real-time EMG feedback, and gamified rehabilitation.

Bionic prosthetics for amputees.

FieldEdge FL

This project is a lightweight federated-learning framework that trains soil-based crop-recommendation models directly on Raspberry Pi edge nodes, removing the need to stream raw sensor data to the cloud.

Trains crop recommendation models.

AgriTrack: GPS Work Classification System

AgriTrack uses mathematical signatures from GPS data to objectively verify agricultural equipment usage, eliminating billing disputes and improving payment cycles for farmers.

Verifies agricultural equipment sharing billing.

AccraIQ

AccraIQ optimizes Accra's chaotic transit network by eliminating route redundancy while preserving service coverage, using a three-stage pipeline of DTW similarity analysis, HDBSCAN clustering, and Set Cover optimization.

Optimizes transit by reducing routes.

IHS Challenge Prize – Power Management Category

6 projects are competing for the special IHS Challenge Prize focusing on power management innovations.

MuscleProject FarmSpeakAgroBot AIVotelinkScaleNodesPERWER

Our Partners

The Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025 is made possible by our incredible partners.

Title Partners

Co-Creation Hub logoIHS logoIlorin Innovation Hub logoFuture Africa logo

Community Partners

3MTT logoARM logoQhala logoISN logoARVR Africa logoGDG Lagos logoThe Omniverse logo

About the Challenge

Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025: Resource-Constrained Computing is a pan-African hackathon 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 you to rethink what’s possible when constraints inspire creativity. Resource-constrained computing solutions focus on optimizing computational tasks when resources like power, memory, and processing capabilities are limited, often in devices like communication devices, sensors, and embedded systems. This isn’t just about code or hardware—it’s about the journey. We’re looking for builders who can not only create solutions, but also tell the story of how they solved for Africa’s unique infrastructural realities. From agriculture to fintech, education to health, participants are encouraged to build in any domain—so long as your solution thrives under real-world constraints.

Get Started

Join us to build groundbreaking, efficient, and scalable technologies that could shape the future of computing in Africa—and beyond. The most compelling innovators will get funding, mentorship, and access to a pipeline of deep tech investment opportunities.

What to Build & Submit

What to Build

Build a working prototype that solves a real-world problem using resource-constrained computing. This could mean low-power solutions, offline capabilities, small-data AI models, efficient edge computing, or any smart adaptation to limited computing environments. Your solution can apply to any domain: healthcare, education, smart cities, fintech, climate, entertainment, agriculture, gaming and beyond.

What to Submit

A functional prototype or demo of your solution

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 why they were chosen
  • - Performance tests and benchmarks
  • - Screenshots or short videos showing your build in action

A short video (max 2 minutes) explaining your solution and development journey

Updated documentation and video (if part of semi-final or final round)

Prizes & Incentives

$20,000 in prizes

First Place

$8,000 in cash

1 winner

$8,000 USD Equity-Free Grant

Key Benefits:

  • Fuel your growth with capital—no strings attached. Use it to refine your prototype, conduct more testing, or kickstart your startup journey.
  • Get matched with top-tier engineers, product experts, and industry mentors to help you enhance your solution and prepare for investment.
  • Fast-track conversations with early-stage deep tech investors interested in Africa’s most promising wildcard talent.
  • Get profiled across our platforms and partner media outlets, giving your work and your voice visibility across the continent and beyond.
  • Continued visibility and support through our innovation network, including startup accelerators, dev communities, and infrastructure partners.

Second Place

$5,000 in cash

1 winner

$5,000 USD Equity-Free Grant

Key Benefits:

  • Fuel your growth with capital—no strings attached. Use it to refine your prototype, conduct more testing, or kickstart your startup journey.
  • Get matched with top-tier engineers, product experts, and industry mentors to help you enhance your solution and prepare for investment.
  • Fast-track conversations with early-stage deep tech investors interested in Africa’s most promising wildcard talent.
  • Get profiled across our platforms and partner media outlets, giving your work and your voice visibility across the continent and beyond.
  • Continued visibility and support through our innovation network, including startup accelerators, dev communities, and infrastructure partners.

Third Place

$3,000 in cash

1 winner

$3,000 USD Equity-Free Grant

Key Benefits:

  • Fuel your growth with capital—no strings attached. Use it to refine your prototype, conduct more testing, or kickstart your startup journey.
  • Get matched with top-tier engineers, product experts, and industry mentors to help you enhance your solution and prepare for investment.
  • Fast-track conversations with early-stage deep tech investors interested in Africa’s most promising wildcard talent.
  • Get profiled across our platforms and partner media outlets, giving your work and your voice visibility across the continent and beyond.
  • Continued visibility and support through our innovation network, including startup accelerators, dev communities, and infrastructure partners.

IHS Challenge Prize – Power Management Category

$4,000 in cash

1 winner

$4,000 USD Equity-Free Grant

Category Focus: This prize recognizes innovative solutions that address power management challenges in telecom infrastructure, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and new business models. Solutions should align with IHS’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint, enhancing operational efficiency, and future-proofing its energy services across diverse environments.

What We're Looking For: Participants are encouraged to submit ideas that support innovation in Power Managed Services, including but not limited to:

  • Solar Off-Grid Power Solutions
  • Hybrid Power-as-a-Service Models
  • Battery Optimization and Lifecycle Management
  • Remote Power Monitoring Tools
  • Carbon Reduction Technologies for Site Operations
  • Power Efficiency Algorithms or Embedded Systems
  • Predictive Maintenance for Energy Equipment
  • Energy Trading/Load Balancing Between Sites
  • Power Infrastructure Analytics

Finalists (At Most 10)

  • Live demo opportunity during the finals
  • 1:1 mentorship with deep tech professionals
  • Professional documentation support
  • Access to partner network

Semi-Finalists (At most 20)

  • Recognition certificate
  • Access to mentorship, workshops, and extended learning resources

All participants get access to webinars, templates, technical resources, and a vibrant community of innovators.

Meet the Judges

Omoju Miller

Omoju Miller

Fimio

Alex Tsado

Alex Tsado

UduTech

Zak El Fassi

Zak El Fassi

Zaigood

Silas Adekunle

Silas Adekunle

Awarri

Judith Okonkwo

Judith Okonkwo

Imisi 3D

Mbangula Lameck Amugongo

Mbangula Lameck Amugongo

Machine Learning

Judging Criteria & Winner Selection

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

Creative Problem-Solving (30%)

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

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

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

Usability and Relevance (10%)

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

Winner Selection Process

Judges will assess both the final solution and the development journey. Emphasis will be placed on how participants approached problem-solving under constraints, made thoughtful technical decisions, and demonstrated innovation throughout the process. Top scorers will advance to the live finals, where finalists will showcase their work in real time. Judges will evaluate their ability to adapt, think on their feet, and explain their approach clearly to a live audience.

Challenge Timeline

Initial Submission Deadline
July 31, 2025
20 days ago
Semi-Finalists Announced
August 14, 2025
6 days ago
Semi-Final Submission Deadline
August 28, 2025
in 8 days
Finalists Announced
September 4, 2025
in 15 days
Live Finals & Winner Announcement
September 13, 2025
in 24 days

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to individuals or teams of up to 4 members.
  • Participants must be aged 18 or older and reside in any of the listed African countries.
  • No prior startup or funding status required—this challenge is for emerging innovators.
  • All submissions must be the original work of the team.
  • Teams can use open-source tools or libraries but must cite them clearly.

You agree to the Challenge Participation Agreement

Eligible Countries

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Congo the Democratic Republic of the
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Djibouti
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • Swaziland
  • Tanzania United Republic of
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Learning & Resources (Curriculum)

Explore these modules to build foundational knowledge and advanced skills for the challenge. Each module includes curated resources like papers, tutorials, and case studies.

Module 1: Foundations of Resource-Constrained Computing

An overview of fundamental principles and challenges in resource-constrained computing.

Key Topics:

  • Core concepts, challenges, and opportunities
  • Historical context and evolution
  • Key principles and design considerations

Recommended Resources:

Module 2: Edge Computing & Distributed Systems

Explore edge computing architectures and distributed system design for unreliable connectivity.

Key Topics:

  • Edge architectures for limited infrastructure
  • Designing for unreliable connectivity
  • Data processing and storage strategies

Recommended Resources:

Module 3: Low-Power IoT & Sensor Networks

Learn energy-efficient IoT and sensor network design tailored for low-power environments.

Key Topics:

  • Energy-efficient hardware & software design
  • Sensor-network architectures for African contexts
  • Communication protocols for low-power devices

Recommended Resources:

Module 4: Connectivity Solutions for Limited Infrastructure

Understand connectivity options like delay-tolerant and mesh networks for offline-first systems.

Key Topics:

  • Delay-tolerant networking
  • Mesh networks & community connectivity
  • Offline-first design principles

Recommended Resources:

Module 5: TinyML & Efficient Computing

Dive into TinyML and model optimization techniques for deployment on constrained devices.

Key Topics:

  • ML for ultra-low-power devices
  • Model-optimization techniques
  • Deployment strategies in constrained environments

Recommended Resources:

Module 6: Case Studies & Applications

Review real-world case studies and best practices in resource-constrained computing applications.

Key Topics:

  • Real-world implementations across sectors
  • Frameworks & best practices
  • Synthesis of lessons learned

Recommended Resources:

Africa Deep Tech Foundation is pursuing tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status. Donations may be tax-deductible pending IRS determination.