Synthetic intelligence might catalyze social and financial change for the World South. By 2030, AI-powered Business 4.0 is predicted to contribute as a lot as $1.5 trillion to the economic system and drive transformation in healthcare, agriculture, and schooling.
The Milken Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, a collaboration between the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Basis, targets world innovators in several classes: AI & Manufacturing, FinTech, Inexperienced Power, and AgriTech. Launched in 2021, the multi-year program presents monetary help and different sources to entrepreneurs in rising markets.
The brand new AI and Manufacturing prize class is devoted to established African corporations “revolutionizing manufacturing worth chains by leveraging AI and different rising applied sciences.”
It opened up for submissions in Could 2025, and 10 semifinalist groups have been introduced in September. Every group will obtain $50,000 in funding to “drive inclusive financial development and sustainable improvement in Africa.”
The semifinalists will current their options on the Milken Institute Center East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi from December 4th to fifth, 2025. A panel will choose 5 finalist corporations, who will every obtain $30,000 and compete for the $1 million grand prize. The runner-up will take residence a $250,000 money prize, whereas one of many groups will win $100,000 for probably the most superior use of 4IR (Business 4.0).
The semifinalists are described as established corporations within the manufacturing sector with greater than two years of operation in Africa and a transparent dedication to advancing job development and workforce improvement. They embody:
1. BleagLee, a Cameroon-based waste administration and recycling firm, makes use of synthetic intelligence to detect and gather poorly disposed waste (plastic, agricultural, and digital).
2. DataProphet is a South African manufacturing intelligence consultancy providing machine learning-based options for lowering waste and bettering yield.
3. Digitech Oasis develops knowledge automation techniques and autonomous cellular robots (AMRs) for small and medium-sized enterprises.
4. Freshpack Applied sciences is a cold-storage firm in Morogoro, Tanzania, that goals to scale back post-harvest vegetable loss utilizing a storage field lined with good cloth. The Freshpack field can reportedly preserve greens recent for as much as 10 days.
5. GreenBDG Africa (Inexperienced Constructing Design Group Africa) is a South African advisory agency serving to actual property and manufacturing corporations adjust to sustainability rules and ESG objectives.
6. INDOS’s flagship product, Garment IO, is a plug-and-play good manufacturing answer designed for garment factories.
7. Spiro sells inexpensive electrical bikes in varied African nations.
8. Thola is constructing a local weather sustainability compliance ecosystem for agricultural and meals organizations in Africa.
9. Torchit develops assistive applied sciences for visually-impaired individuals.
10. Toto Safi offers inexpensive reusable diapers for caregivers throughout Africa by partnering with native girls’s tailor cooperatives.
Business 4.0 is in its relative infancy in Africa, and there’s a urgent want for homegrown options that assist manufacturing companies function easily and effectively.
The general winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing will probably be introduced and awarded in Could 2026.
