Why This Matters
Real solutions to real problems faced by real people – everywhere.
700M
people worldwide lack access to basic healthcare
Source: WHO
675M
people live without electricity globally
Source: IEA 2025
70%
of world's food produced by smallholder farmers
Source: FAO
Focus Areas
Three critical challenges. Infinite possibilities for innovation.
Healthcare
Deliver primary healthcare to rural and peri-urban communities where over 60% of Nigerians have little or no access.
Desired Outcomes:
- Telemedicine platforms
- AI-assisted diagnostics
- Mobile health clinics
- Remote monitoring wearables
- Maternal & child health solutions
Energy
Provide affordable, reliable, clean energy to the 85+ million Nigerians without grid access.
Desired Outcomes:
- Solar micro-grids
- Pay-as-you-go systems
- IoT energy management
- Blockchain-enabled metering
- Smart distribution solutions
Agriculture
Increase smallholder farmer productivity where 70% struggle with low yields and post-harvest losses.
Desired Outcomes:
- Precision agriculture tools
- Mobile market platforms
- Smart storage solutions
- Blockchain traceability
- Weather forecasting systems
The 5-Phase Journey
Stanford d.school and IDEO-inspired human-centred design frameworks. From deep community empathy to market-ready prototypes in 10 weeks.
Empathy & Define
Immersive community workshops in rural clinics, farms, and off-grid villages.
Ideate
Divergent ideation powered by global design tools and local insight.
Prototype
Rapid hardware + software builds supported by GE Garage, Zoho, and TD Africa.
Test
Real-world field trials with end-users in actual deployment scenarios.
Pitch
Live Demo Day + global livestream judged by African and international investors.
Timeline
A 10-week journey from idea to investable prototype.
Call for Challenge & Participants
Applications open for individuals from diverse backgrounds – students, tech enthusiasts, women, rural youth.
Prequalification & Selection
Evaluation of applicants based on background, experience, and ambition.
Virtual Bootcamp
Online workshops on design thinking methodology and problem areas.
Prototype Design
Teams form and develop prototypes addressing specified problems.
Physical Bootcamp
Top 30 participants meet in-person, form teams, and refine prototypes.
Demo Day
Teams pitch prototypes to judges with live demonstrations.
Judging Period
Judge, Jury and public poll weighed to determine winners.
Award Presentation
Winners announced and receive prizes, seed funding, and opportunities.
Who We're Looking For
Four complementary profiles to create balanced, high-performing founding teams. Applicants from any country welcome.
Hard-Tech Specialist
Science/Engineering
Engineers, scientists, hardware experts who drive technical feasibility and proof-of-concept. Future CTO track.
Software/Data/AI Specialist
Developers & Data Scientists
Software developers, data scientists, and ML engineers who build scalable digital infrastructure.
Commercial/Operator Leader
Business & Strategy
Entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who excel at customer development, go-to-market, and fundraising. CEO/COO track.
Catalyst
Wildcard
Designers, farmers, product managers, or domain insiders who bring unconventional insight.
Prizes & Commitments
Sponsored by TD Africa. Over ₦60 million in prizes plus the full Innovators-in-Residence program.
Healthcare
₦18M
+ Full Innovators-in-Residence Program
Energy
₦18M
+ Full Innovators-in-Residence Program
Agriculture
₦18M
+ Full Innovators-in-Residence Program
Winners
Healthcare
₦10M
Energy
₦10M
Agriculture
₦10M
+ Full Innovators-in-Residence Program
Other Finalists
Prize money to be won + innovators in residence admission
For 1st and 2nd Runner Up
- • Full Innovators-in-Residence program
- • Sector-specific awards and partner prizes
- • Hardware, cloud credits, mentorship
Innovators in Residence Program
A 6-month incubator and accelerator program for winners and finalists to build solutions for scale.
Phase 1: Incubator
3 Months
Find problem-solution fit & build a credible business case. Focus on building proof points around customers, problems, and value proposition.
- Domain expert support and mentorship
- Pitch deck and data room refinement
- Investment Committee presentation
- Up to ₦100M for qualifying teams
Phase 2: Accelerator
3 Months
Intensive growth sprint with corporate partners, mentors, and investors. Build customer traction and momentum.
- Corporate and financial partner network
- Customer acquisition support
- Product-market fit validation
- Series A readiness preparation
Partners
A coalition of global and African institutions driving innovation.
Headline Sponsor
TD Africa
Powered By
Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology Enugu-State
EnuguTech Fest
Banking & Funding Partners
Sterling Bank
Ennovate
Technology Partners
CIC
Arone
Event Partners
CafeOne
Africa Tech Expo
Development Partners
IFC
Mastercard Foundation
Bill Gates Foundation
AFDB
UNDP
Judges & Team
Judges / Mentors / Coaches
Engr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh FNSE PhD
Hon. Commissioner for Innovation Science and Technology Enugu-State Government
Fola Olatunji David
Sharon Georgewell
Abiodun Lawal
Kolapo Ogungbile
Nnaemeka Clinton
Chioma Leo Ekeh
Chioma Chimere
Ms.Kelechi Nwaozuzu
Clinton Tochukwu
DTC™ Team
Victor Ogbonna
Program Coordinator
Hack Sultan Akintunde
Technology
Julian Duru
Technology
Emeka Ogbonna
Programs
Joy Okoye
Programs
Jasper Michael
Branding
Michael Ndu
Media
Damilola Bakare
Communications
Benedictta Nnaji
Social Media
Miracle Barrah
Secretariate
Nnenna Ezeude
Events
Brian Echeji
Partnership