Rwanda to host Innovation Prize for Africa this year

The Previous editions of the Innovation Prize for Africa have been hosted in Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

Rwanda is going to host 'Innovation Prize for Africa', an annual Pan-African event held every year. This will be the 7^th edition of the prestigious Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA). This will showcase the African ingenuity and also recognise as well as connect African innovators and entrepreneurs.

It was indicated in a press statement that the organisers choose Rwanda as the host country. Rwanda is committed to put innovation at the centre of development. Building knowledge economy and shaping ICT policies are other areas Rwanda is working upon.

The Innovation Prize for Africa Programme provides USD 185,000 to winners who bring solutions to African challenges. The event will be hosted on October 11-12 at the Kigali Convention Centre.

Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa, the Minister for Information Technology and Communications said that it is a great honour for the country to host the event adding that the Government will maintain efforts to ensure an environment for innovative solutions.

The Minister said "We are delighted to host the Innovation Prize for Africa 2018. We commend AIF's work to address the continent's challenges through innovation. The message being delivered cuts across generations and puts forth mindsets that are passionate about the uplifting of Africa,"

The Previous editions of the IPA have been hosted in Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

Walter Fust, the chairman of the Board of African Innovation Foundation said "We are proud to partner with the Government of Rwanda to host IPA 2018 and look forward to collaborating with Rwandan innovators and innovation enablers in their quest to become an innovation-led knowledge economy,"

He also highlighted that they have the motive of strengthening African innovation ecosystems through their ongoing collaborative programmes and strategic partnerships.