Innovating Education in Africa 2026 – Call for Submissions

The African Union has launched the Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) 2026 Call for Submissions, inviting innovators across Africa to submit transformative solutions that address education and skills development challenges across the continent.

The initiative seeks scalable, impactful and sustainable innovations that strengthen education systems, enhance skills development, and support Africa’s digital and green transformation.

Selected innovations will receive funding, continental visibility, and opportunities for policy engagement and scaling across African Union Member States. 

Funding Support

Successful applicants may receive:

• Grants of up to USD 50,000
• Promotion to African Union Member States and development partners
• Certificate of Recognition from the African Union
• Capacity-building support from partner organizations
• Participation in the Innovating Education in Africa Expo 2026
• Policy engagement opportunities with governments
• Inclusion in the Africa Education & Skills Innovations Handbook 2026
• Participation in ministerial policy dialogues and innovation platforms 

Thematic Focus Areas

1. Basic and Secondary Education Innovation

• Foundational literacy and numeracy technologies
• Teacher professional development solutions
• AI-enabled learning and assessment
• Inclusive and gender-responsive education technologies

2. Higher Education & STI Ecosystems

• University-industry innovation hubs
• Research commercialization platforms
• Digital universities and hybrid learning
• Robotics and STEM centers of excellence

3. TVET and Skills Development

• AI-integrated TVET training
• Green and climate-responsive skills
• Apprenticeship and dual training systems
• Skills mobility aligned with AfCFTA

4. AI, Robotics & Emerging Technologies

• Robotics labs in education institutions
• AI-powered skills forecasting
• Simulation-based training
• Youth innovation hubs
• AI governance and ethics in education 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of African Union Member States
• Lead a legally registered organization
• Be implementing an education innovation with measurable outcomes
• Demonstrate scalability and integration potential
• Be directly responsible for implementation of the innovation

Eligible applicants include:

• Startups
• Education institutions
• Research institutions
• Innovation hubs
• NGOs
• Technology organizations
• Science parks and technology transfer offices 

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Problem statement
• Innovation description
• Implementation model
• Evidence of impact
• Registration documentation
• Alignment with continental strategies

Only one innovation per organization may be submitted.
Previous IEA grant recipients are not eligible. 

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
• Eligibility Review: May 2026
• Final Pitch: June 2026

Countries Eligible

All African Union Member States

Click HERE to visit the official website.