In less than two days, the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2016 awards will commence with its slated list of programmes in recognition of African innovators and their useful solutions for the continent. This year, 10 outstanding innovators stand the chance to win the $150,000 grand prize. The two-day event will culminate in the celebration of the fifth year anniversary of IPA, showcasing the growth and development of the “Made in Africa” themed initiative since its inception.

Since 2011, when it was established by the African Innovation Foundation (AIF), the IPA has been striving to continue serving the purpose of the AIF which is to amass prosperity for Africa by unearthing, recognising and supporting Africans who are dedicated to providing the African continent with innovative breakthroughs and solutions that improve the continent’s socioeconomic status.

In the past four years, innovators from different parts of Africa have received financial and moral encouragement from the AIF team through the IPA award to continue making their contributions towards advancing Africa’s various industries and global reputation.

To mark IPA’s fifth anniversary, AIF Founder, Jean Claude Bastos de Morais, answers five questions that tell us what to expect from the event in Botswana this year, and how far the IPA has come.

Ventures Africa (VA): In your opinion, what will be the highlight of this year’s Innovation Prize for Africa event?

Jean Claude Bastos de Morais (JCBM): Innovation is dynamic, and as our work at IPA continues to turn wheels, we embrace new ideas, strategies and opportunities to enhance our mission to script Africa’s growth story. Our work in Africa is important because it’s focused on driving needs-based innovation and supporting the development of innovation ecosystems in the continent. We are very proud of the African innovators in our network, all 6,000-strong of them, and that’s why this year we have gone with the theme – Made in Africa. It’s about celebrating African ingenuity and reiterating our ongoing commitment to work with IPA champions, partners and stakeholders to support African innovators.

Given that capacity building and knowledge transfer is a key focus, this year’s program will feature mentoring sessions and boot camps for innovators to understand and navigate intellectual property rights, business model development, pitching skills, and communications.

This is also the 5th anniversary of the Prize and to mark this milestone, we are launching our new online platform to connect African innovators and innovation enablers, in addition to launching a book comprising of contributions from innovation influencers in the continent.

(VA): List five things that you believe have helped the Innovation Prize for Africa Award achieve the reputation it has today.

(JCBM): I personally believe that the IPA has grown from strength to strength because of its single-minded focus on innovation-led growth. I’m amazed at how much has been achieved. From seeding the African innovation spirit across the continent, to enabling the emergence of African innovation ecosystems through creative and strategic collaborations, the IPA has gained credibility and scale.

• In 2011, the IPA was launched in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Although the partnership has since ceased, I will always be grateful for the collaboration as it was the ideal launch pad into the continent.
• In 2012, at the joint Africa Union (AU) and the UNECA conference, the IPA received the endorsement of ministers in attendance, who passed a resolution calling on member States to work with AIF through IPA to promote innovation based societies in Africa. This has led to many Governments putting innovation on their development agenda.
• Between 2013 and 2014, we began to observe the emergence of a deep African innovation spirit, and the Prize had become a real force in terms of unlocking African potential.
• Now in its fifth year, 2016, the IPA has the largest network of African innovators in its database. This year alone, the Prize has attracted more than 3,600 participants from 50 African countries, making it a truly Pan-African initiative.
• Countries are now bidding to host the IPA event.

Although there is a lot more work to be done, I believe that the IPA has become a driving force in shaping the innovation landscape in Africa.

(VA): Does the African Innovation Foundation usually attempt to follow up with the winner of its prizes to ensure that they use the money to continue to improve their communities, and by doing so, the continent?

(JCBM): Yes, IPA winners and nominees are supported well beyond the prize itself. Supporting our innovators through knowledge transfer is a key focus as I mentioned earlier. Our role is to support African innovators to become more competitive in the market place and to become more investor ready through know how and capacity development. We also sponsor past nominees and winners to attend and participate in international events to showcase how African innovation is developing, which is important in raising the profile of African innovators on a global scale.

With programs such as our new online platform, we are able to connect Africa’s think tanks, innovation enablers and creative minds to exchange critical skills and know-how, while providing African innovators and potential entrepreneurs with tools and platforms enabling environments to launch and scale up sustainable businesses.

(VA): Can you tell us more about the Innovators Ecosystems Connector being launched this year?

(JCBM): The Ecosystems Connector will take place on 22nd and 23rd of June. The programmes for both connectors can be downloaded at the IPA website.

All connectors’ activities will take place at the innovation village to be set up at the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) and Science and Technology Park. You should plan arriving on June 21st if you would like to attend both the Innovation Ecosystems Connector activities and Awards ceremony.

(VA): Why is Botswana the location for this year’s event?

(JCBM): Botswana has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world, moving into the ranks of upper-middle income countries. It is a sound example of a nation invested in prioritising innovation to drive socioeconomic progress and growth. This is always the key criteria when we select a host country.

I’m very impressed by the government of Botswana’s commitment to invest in building the state-of-the-art Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH), which will no doubt be the beacon of the country’s innovation future. Already global innovation heavyweights such as Microsoft Corporation have launched their presence, and I’m certain more will follow suit.

It goes without saying that I am very grateful to H.E. President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, the President of Botswana, for his endorsement of the Prize being held in Gaborone.