Africa Youth Innovation Award Opens Applications
The third Africa Young Innovators for Health Award invites young Africans to propose AI solutions for family planning access.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Youth
Live Poll
Should artificial intelligence be used to expand family planning access in Africa?
Speak Up Africa and the Ouagadougou Partnership Coordination Unit opened applications for the third Africa Young Innovators for Health Award. Applications are open until 6 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Why it matters
Among adolescents aged 15-19, 80% of unintended pregnancies occur among those not using modern contraception. The award seeks to channel young innovators toward closing that access gap across West and Central Africa.
The award's eligibility is limited to applicants aged 18 to 35 residing in an African country, applying through a civil society or private sector organisation. Two first-prize winners will each receive US$15,000, while the source does not state how many applications were received.
The players
Speak Up Africa
Speak Up Africa is a regional organization that works to amplify African voices on health and development issues.
Ouagadougou Partnership
The Ouagadougou Partnership is a multi-country initiative of nine West and Central African countries working to expand access to modern contraception.
The details
Applicants must submit solutions that have reached at least the prototype or minimum viable product stage, using AI to improve family planning access. Eight finalists will travel to Conakry, Guinea for an innovation hackathon, from which a jury will select four final winners.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Applications for the third edition opened.
November 6, 2026 at 23:59 GMT: Application deadline.
November 30 to December 3, 2026: Finalist pitch training and mentorship.
December 1 to 3, 2026: Innovation hackathon in Conakry, Guinea.
Youth Health Innovation
The award builds on the Ouagadougou Partnership, which aims to help 13 million people access modern contraceptive methods by 2030. It extends that regional effort by asking young innovators to apply artificial intelligence to family planning access problems.
Young Africans aged 18 to 35 who have built a prototype or minimum viable product can apply through a civil society or private sector organisation before the November 6 deadline. Winners will receive a three-month mentorship programme and, for first prize, US$15,000.
The takeaway
Young innovators with working prototypes can now compete for funding and mentorship aimed at expanding contraceptive access. The application window closes 6 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
What happens next
Eight finalists will travel to Conakry, Guinea for the innovation hackathon from 1 to 3 December 2026, and the jury will then select four final winners.
Further reading
Explore more Youth stories on young innovators shaping health and society.
More information
Apply through the Africa Young Innovators for Health Award application form.
Live Poll
Should artificial intelligence be used to expand family planning access in Africa?
