Contests and Competitions

The Sony World Photography Awards stands out as the premier competition for photographers and artists in the field of photography. Consisting of four distinct competitions (Professional, Open, Student, and Youth), participation is open to all at no cost, with the grand prize amounting to $25,000. Over the past 16 years, the Awards have established themselves as a highly esteemed platform for photographers, both established and up-and-coming, thereby propelling their careers to new heights. The Sony World Photography Awards have a remarkable global presence, enabling photographers to advance their careers to new heights. From the very start, these Awards have been dedicated to promoting inclusivity and accessibility by offering free entry.

The 2024 Ecobank Fintech Challenge is now accepting applications for both early-stage and established startups to collaborate with Ecobank in its 35 African markets. This year marks the 7th edition of the Fintech Challenge. Despite the growing presence of fintech in Africa, a McKinsey report highlights the challenges faced by fintech startups in the region, including scaling, regulatory hurdles, and funding constraints. The Ecobank Fintech Challenge aims to address these challenges by offering a grand prize of US$50,000 and the opportunity to expand solutions across Ecobank’s vast network. “Partnering with fintechs is crucial for promoting financial inclusion in Africa. At Ecobank, we are committed to supporting fintechs through our Growth,

The 2024 Heirs Insurance Essay Championship is in full swing and the entries have started pouring in. Encourage your children and wards in JSS1 – JSS3 to participate and stand the chance to win N5 Million scholarship and more! Prizes to be won: Winner: N5 Million Scholarship 1st Runner-up: N2 Million Scholarship 2nd Runner-up: N1 Million Scholarship Winner’s School: N1 Million Grant Addition: The three finalists will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to the iconic Transcorp Hilton, Abuja for the final presentation of their essays. Essay Details: Topic: If I Could Invent Something New Word Count: Not more than 500 words Writing Format: Essay must be typed and not handwritten Submission Deadline: July 7, 2024 This competition is open to all schools

African video streaming platform StarNews Mobile and the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF) have issued a call for entries for the launch of the StarNews Business Competition. Organized by StarNews Mobile and GBEF in collaboration with MTN and the United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID), this initiative aims to support Nigeria’s most promising SMEs with grant funding and partnership opportunities in the United States. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to win cash prizes of up to NGN5 million (US$4,000) from StarNews, access to a network of investors, and exposure on the StarNews web platform. The top three winners will also receive coaching from GBEF’s Academy for Advancing Excellence

The Anthology Short Story Competition was established to acknowledge and promote creative writing, as well as provide a platform for publication. It is open to writers of any nationality, residing anywhere in the world, who can submit original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language. There are no restrictions on theme or style, but the stories must not exceed 1,500 words. Writers are welcome to submit as many entries as they desire, with each submission requiring a separate entry form and entry fee. While not mandatory, it is recommended that writers refer to Anthology magazine or purchase a copy before submitting their work. This will allow them to

Applications for the 2024 UNDP Timbuktoo Fintech Startup Accelerator Programme are now available. The Timbuktoo Fintech Startup Accelerator Programme, based in Lagos, Nigeria, is a Pan-African initiative supporting startups that meet specific criteria: 1. Utilize technology solutions in the financial services sector. 2. Contribute to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). 3. Demonstrate high scalability. 4. Have a defensible position in the market. 5. Possess a strong monetization strategy. To be eligible, technology-focused entrepreneurs and startup founders across Africa aged 18-35 must meet the following criteria: 1. Founders must be citizens of an African country. 2. Startups must be locally owned and based in any African country. 3. Utilize technology in

The 100+ Accelerator has collaborated with its corporate partners to identify the most challenging sustainability issues within their supply chains. Are you able to propose a potential solution? Take a look at the list below to determine if you meet the criteria. If your solution proves to be viable during the pilot phase of the 100+ program, you may gain new corporate clients, possibly even more than one! By providing funding of up to $100,000 per startup pilot, the partners assess and validate each solution before scaling and transforming their global supply chains. These collaborative partnerships enable industries to join forces, utilizing their scale, resources, and purchasing power to drive

Afreximbank has officially declared the initiation of the CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa, a collaboration between the CANEX Book Factory and the Narrative Landscape Press Limited. The CANEX Book Factory, a significant intervention within the CANEX program, is designed to foster a dynamic literary culture throughout Global Africa and promote the growth of a sustainable business environment in the literary field. Launched in 2020 by Afreximbank, CANEX serves as a crucial catalyst for development and job creation in Africa, acknowledging the importance and opportunities presented by the creative and cultural sectors. The CANEX Book Factory will shine a spotlight on and enhance the African book value chain through a

We are delighted to announce that applications for the 2024 Heirs Insurance Essay Championship are now open, in celebration of Children’s Day. We encourage you to motivate your children and wards in JSS1 – JSS3 to participate by submitting their essays on the topic, “If I could Invent Something New”. By doing so, they will have the opportunity to win a N5 Million scholarship and a N1 Million grant for their school. The 1st runner-up will receive a N2 Million scholarship, while the 2nd runner-up will be awarded a N1 Million scholarship. To apply visit www.heirsinsurancegroup.com/essay for more details and submission guidelines. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact our

Prior to the GLF Africa 2024 Hybrid Conference, the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) and the Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL) are organizing the 2024 African Youth Storytelling Contest “The Stories of Africa”. THEMES: Global Landscapes Forum 2024 African Youth Story Telling Contest Your narrative should convey your reflections, aspirations, and visions for a future Africa that prioritizes community, cooperation, inclusivity, and resilience. In essence, what does a promising future for Africa entail? Eligibility: Global Landscapes Forum 2024 African Youth Story Telling Contest The competition is accessible to individuals aged between 18 and 35 who were born in Africa, reside in Africa, or are part of the African diaspora. FORMAT: Global

The Growth Hub is offering a business growth accelerator competition for business owners and entrepreneurs in Ondo State for opportunity to win prizes valued at over N3 million. So are you a business owner in Ondo State and its surrounding areas? It is an opportunity for you to discover how you can potentially secure up to N3 million in grant funding through The Growth Accelerator & Grant Competition in Ondo State. The goal is to open doors to opportunities that you may not have considered before! In line with our vision to foster individual, business, and economic development, as well as provide essential support for emerging startups throughout Africa, The

TEBEBA, a renowned writing and publishing organization, provides exceptional solutions for leaders and individuals in Africa and worldwide. With a focus on ghostwriting, editing, publishing, and printing services, TEBEBA fulfills its clients’ writing and publishing dreams. Founded by Emmanuel Olatunji, TEBEBA is a registered company in Nigeria and the United States of America. In an effort to give back to society and inspire more individuals to discover their writing potential, TEBEBA School of Writing is hosting a 31-day Teedba School of writing challenge. This second edition of the challenge will take place from July 1st, 2024, to July 31st, 2024. To make the most of this opportunity, it is crucial

The ECOPRIZE SOLUTIONS CHALLENGE is a key component of the Digital and Sustainability Experience, the largest youth-led conference in Africa focusing on sustainability and digital transformation. The ECOPRIZE is designed to acknowledge sustainable innovations led by young people and offer avenues to showcase the inventive ideas they have for sustainability and digital transformation. Requirements: ECOPRIZE SOLUTIONS CHALLENGE: Recognizing Youth-Led Sustainable Innovations – Open to individuals or teams aged between 18 – 30. – If applying as a team, the group must consist of no more than 5 members, and only one member should complete the application form. – Submit a 1-minute pitch video and a summary of your innovation. –

Applications for the 2024 IRENA Youth Logo Contest are now being accepted. IRENA is excited to introduce the Contest as part of its dedication to involving and empowering the next generation of energy leaders. This competition is designed to motivate young talents globally to exhibit their creativity and enthusiasm for sustainable energy, while also establishing a strong bond between IRENA and the youth. It encourages them to express their ideas on revitalizing the current IRENA Youth Logo and its identity. We warmly welcome all young individuals to contribute their innovative concepts for the rebranding of the existing IRENA Youth Logo. Objective: IRENA Youth Logo Contest The primary goal of this

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 United Nations Global Compact Target Gender Equality Accelerator Program. This nine-month program is designed for companies involved in the United Nations Global Compact who are interested in establishing and achieving ambitious goals for women’s representation, equal pay, and leadership in the business sector. By participating in the Target Gender Equality Accelerator, companies will have the opportunity to enhance the implementation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles and contribute more effectively to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through performance analysis, workshops, peer learning, and dialogues at various levels. Eligibility: United Nations Global Compact Target Gender Equality Accelerator Program To be eligible for the Target

Impact Hub Kigali, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), will be extending its support to the third edition of the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge: Empowering Refugee Communities in Rwanda. The main objective of this collaboration is to empower refugees and address their livelihood needs. This initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship and investment in ventures that improve food systems, combat hunger, and enhance food security, with a specific focus on serving refugee populations. Program Requirements: IGNITE Food Systems Challenge: Empowering Refugee Communities in Rwanda We are currently looking for dynamic and impactful businesses, including startups, MSMEs, and cooperatives, that are operating in Rwanda to participate in our program. We

The ANZA-TUT Future Tech Challenge presents the Innovating for Tomorrow program, a cutting-edge endeavor aimed at leveraging innovation and collaboration to tackle current challenges. Co-organized by ANZA Capital and the Institute for the Future of Work at Tshwane University of Technology, this challenge calls upon innovators to showcase transformative solutions in Agritech, Digital Tech, and CleanTech. This initiative is founded on a partnership that merges ANZA Capital’s forward-thinking investment approach with Tshwane University of Technology’s academic excellence and research capabilities. Together, we strive to foster an environment conducive to the growth of innovative concepts, leading to sustainable progress and practical applications. Benefits 1. Venture Funding: Seize the opportunity to secure

The International Illustration Competition, “Art on Climate,” is currently seeking talented illustrators to create artworks that address the theme of climate change. The competition aims to serve as a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and practical solutions to tackle climate change. It also aims to inspire the public to actively make changes in their daily lives in response to this global challenge. Theme: Climate Change Participants are encouraged to submit original artworks on the theme of “climate change.” They can draw inspiration from the following topics: Eligibility: ART ON CLIMATE” INTERNATIONAL ILLUSTRATION COMPETITION FOR YOUNG ILLUSTRATORS Any individual aged 18 or above, regardless of their location, is eligible

The African World Heritage Fund is urging all Africans to take part in the celebration of African heritage during Africa Month, which is centered around the theme “My African Heritage.” To encourage participation, the African World Heritage Fund is hosting the #MyAfricanHeritage Competition, where participants have the chance to win a weekend visit to a remarkable African World Heritage site. The competition will run from African World Heritage Day on May 5th to Africa Day on May 25th. Its purpose is to raise awareness and appreciation for the importance of World Heritage in Africa, as well as the need to preserve African heritage values, wealth, and diversity. The competition is

Applications for the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Innovation in Engineering are now open. The prize seeks nominations from the public that highlight a diverse range of engineering innovations across various sectors, with nominators from around the world. Benefits: Queen Elizabeth Prize for Innovation in Engineering – QEPrize The QEPrize is an international award that accepts nominations globally, with the exception of self-nomination and posthumous nomination. The prize amount is £500,000 and is awarded to a maximum of 10 engineers who have contributed to a significant engineering innovation with global benefits. Criteria: Queen Elizabeth Prize for Innovation in Engineering – QEPrize The judging criteria include the groundbreaking nature of the

We are excited to announce an amazing opportunity for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their abilities and boost their business achievements. The Astra Productivity Accelerator Program, in collaboration with United Way Greater Nigeria, is presenting a distinctive program aimed at equipping you with the necessary knowledge and skills for the advancement and growth of your venture. Benefits” Why Should You Join the Astra Fellowship Productivity Accelerator Program? Enhance Your Team’s Skills: Access valuable training and resources specifically tailored for SMEs. Accelerate Business Growth: Implement new strategies and knowledge to elevate your business operations and achieve success. Business Support: Stand a chance to receive up to 1,000,000 in business

Digital For All Challenge We believe and are driven by the fact that every Nigerian deserves the right to digital literacy and skills for the future of work! The #DigitalforAllChallenge stands as the largest digital skilling competition in Africa, aimed at promoting self-improvement and fostering the development and application of digital skills through competitive rewards. This initiative offers a no-cost opportunity for individuals to enhance their digital skills, ultimately boosting digital literacy in Nigeria and sparking enthusiasm for acquiring digital skills and certifications via online platforms. During its second edition, the challenge will unfold in two distinct phases: the training segment and the competition segment. Following the training phase, participants

The Nobellum Innovator Program is a pivotal component of Nobellum’s strategic plan to empower the establishment of a minimum of 100 Black-owned businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) by the year 2025. This unique accelerator initiative will provide training and guidance to over 100 emerging startups worldwide that have integrated STEM into their business framework to ensure its innovative and enduring nature. Our Innovator Program aims to foster an environment that champions inclusive excellence, while also paving the way for Black youth to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEM. Criteria: Nobellum Innovator Program for Black Innovators in STEM The Nobellum Innovator Program is a meticulously curated initiative designed to