National Cleantech Innovation Challenge – Eastern Cape | Waste-to-Value in Urban and Rural Areas
The National Cleantech Innovation Challenge (NCIC) – Eastern Cape Waste-to-Value Challenge seeks innovative, technically viable solutions that convert low-value waste streams into high-value products with proven market demand and job creation potential.
This challenge addresses the Eastern Cape’s significant waste management constraints, including limited waste collection coverage, inadequate recycling infrastructure, poor landfill compliance, and environmental health risks linked to improper disposal. While overall waste volumes may be lower than in more urbanised provinces, the environmental, social, and economic impact per unit of unmanaged waste is considerably higher.
The initiative targets solutions that transform municipal, organic, agricultural, industrial, marine, and water-related waste into scalable economic opportunities. It aims to reduce environmental degradation, decrease landfill dependence, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and stimulate dignified job creation in both urban and rural contexts.
The challenge aligns with South Africa’s Just Transition strategy and supports Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action, clean water, zero hunger, affordable energy, and sustainable cities.
Country and Province Eligibility
Country: South Africa
Province Focus: Eastern Cape
International applicants may participate only in partnership with locally registered South African entities, with clear commitments to localisation, skills transfer, and job creation within the Eastern Cape.
Aim and Objectives
The challenge seeks to:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation
- Promote circular economy value chains
- Stimulate inclusive entrepreneurship (women, youth, cooperatives, researchers and community innovators)
- Drive sustainable job creation and local economic development
- Support scalable, market-ready technologies that can be replicated across municipalities
Who Can Apply
The challenge is open to:
- Entrepreneurs and startups
- Researchers and technologists
- SMEs and established businesses
- Cooperatives and community innovators
- Youth and women-led enterprises
Technology Readiness Requirements
- Minimum: TRL 4–5 (proof of concept validated in lab or relevant environment)
- Preferred: TRL 6 (engineering-scale prototype validated in near-operational conditions)
Solutions must demonstrate:
- Clear market demand
- Job creation potential
- Cost-effectiveness
- Technical feasibility
- High-impact environmental benefits
Challenge Problem Context
Key challenges in the Eastern Cape include:
- Limited waste separation and sorting infrastructure
- Weak enforcement of landfill bans
- Regulatory barriers (waste licensing, air emissions, water-use permits)
- Restricted access to capital
- Untreated sewage and industrial effluent contamination
- Unsafe and under-supported informal recycling sector
- Rising landfill costs and methane emissions
The challenge prioritises practical, economically viable innovations that can operate within these constraints.
What Is Not Eligible
The following will not be considered:
- Aggregated or existing technologies without significant innovation
- Straight adoption of foreign technologies without demonstrable integration or redesign
- Solutions requiring prolonged piloting or extensive certification processes
- Early-stage concepts below proof-of-concept
- Economically or technically unviable proposals
Incubation and Ecosystem Support
Selected innovators may benefit from support through Propella Business Incubator, the Eastern Cape’s regional cleantech hub.
Propella’s incubation model focuses on:
- Product prototyping and technical refinement
- Business model development
- Market validation
- Entrepreneur capability development
Key ecosystem partners include the Network for Global Innovation (NGIN), Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Nelson Mandela University (NMU), and Engeli Enterprise Development (EED).
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