The Africa Telecommunication Union (ATU) has started the ATU Africa Innovation Challenge 2020.
The competition seeks to identify and support young African innovators who have developed mobile apps useful for benefiting the fights against COVID-19.
Mobile apps that will address other possible emergency situations in Africa in the future will also be considered.
The winner will go home with KES 0.5 million (USD 5000) besides being engaged in other mentorship and partner programs.
The launch of the competition was centred on a theme How Africa Can Stay above the Impact of COVID-19 through Innovation. The show rounded up innovators, ICT Ministries and regulators, ICT organizations, and the academia.
The ATU innovation challenge is an initiative that seeks to provide both short and long-term solutions and opportunities to the African Youth.
With increased suppression of the social fabric in many communities in Africa as a result of COVID-19, and in consideration of the fact that a large population of Africa are youths who are generally living in difficult conditions, the competition promotes the idea that the ability for countries’ readiness for digital solutions, could significantly help address some of these challenges.
What they said
This challenge will be instrumental in recognizing, testing and highlighting disruptive innovations and new business models that have the capacity to redefine Africa,
ATU Secretary-General Mr. John OMO
Innovation has become the key differentiating element that can give economic opportunities to our young people.
Chief Guest Hon S.E.M. Mamadou SANOGO, Minister of Communication, Digital Economy, Post, Information and Communication Technologies, Côte d’Ivoire
We are looking forward to working with ATU to bring out the creativity and entrepreneurship residing in the African youth.
Vice-President of Public Relations for Huawei Northern Africa Region, Mr. Loïse Tamalgo
