Innovation Prize for Africa Announces Deadline Extension to Promote African-Led Innovation

Innovation Prize for Africa Announces Deadline Extension to Promote African-Led Innovation

DAKAR, Sénégal, October 25, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Due to the high demand from African innovators, The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) (http://www.africaninnovation.org) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) announced the extension of the deadline for submitting entries to the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) (http://www.innovationprizeforafrica.org) to 30 November 2012.

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At an event featuring Senegal's Minister and Deputy Chief of Staff of the President for the Republic of Senegal, Mr Moubarack Lo, the IPA team highlighted the need to invest in innovation to accelerate economic growth on the continent. The event in Dakar was organized in collaboration with the Senegalese Science Academy and Technology, represented its President, Professor Ahmadou Lamine Ndiaye.

"We know that innovation can be an engine for economic development. We continue to look for innovations that have commercial potential and are effective in the long term," said Pauline Mujawamariya of the African Innovation Foundation.

Only innovations by Africans for Africans are eligible to enter for the IPA 2013. Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance to Africa. The winning proposal will be awarded a cash prize of $100,000 USD, with the two runners-up each receiving $25,000 USD.

"We want to encourage young people across the continent to be interested in science, technology and engineering as rewarding careers" said Ms. Eskedar Nega, program officer in ICT policy at UNECA.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Innovation Foundation (AIF).

For detailed information of competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission procedures, please visit: http://www.innovationprizeforafrica.org. For highlights and more information, follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/IPAprize) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/InnovationPrizeforAfrica).

Contacts :

FAI Pauline Mujawamariya

Téléphone + 41 44 515 5466

E-mail [email protected]

CEA Eskedar Nega

Téléphone + 251 11 544 5315

E-mail [email protected]

About UNECA

UNECA (http://www.uneca.org/istd) is implementing the Information and Communication Technology and Science and Technology for Development (ISTD) program to meet its mandate to advance economic and social development in Africa. ISTD manages the African Technology Development and Transfer Network (TDTNet), the African Science, Technology and Innovation Endowment Fund (ASTIEF), the African Science to Business Challenge (ASBC) and the Technology in Government Award (TIGA) and is experienced in addressing Africa's special needs, emerging global challenges and hosting and managing initiatives in Africa. For more information please visit: http://www.uneca.org/istd

About AIF

AIF (http://www.africaninnovation.org) supports innovations and other novel initiatives with potential of contributing to sustainable development of African countries. This includes supporting home-grown innovations, facilitating technology transfer as well as supporting other platforms that enhance the exchange of ideas and collaboration among researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, investors and policy makers. AIF also promotes transparent processes and procedures within the public sector and combat illegitimate appropriation and dissipation of resources within both the private and public domains. AIF's areas of activity encompass programs & projects in the fields of: Innovation & Access to Technologies, Governance, Education & Culture and Health. For more information, please visit: http://www.africaninnovation.org