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Africa Deep Tech Foundation

Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2026

Pays cash prizes for on-device AI models that run on everyday budget laptops in Africa.

The Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2026 is the Africa Deep Tech Foundation's competition for entrants building a working on-device language-model application that runs fully offline on an 8 GB laptop with integrated graphics, addressing one of seven problem domains such as healthcare, agriculture, coding, creative writing or autonomous agents, with every submission also showing at least one meaningful

Entrants build a working on-device language-model application that runs fully offline on an 8 GB laptop with integrated graphics, addressing one of seven problem domains such as healthcare, agriculture, coding, creative writing or autonomous agents. Every submission must also show at least one meaningful cross-disciplinary integration, such as offline retrieval over agricultural records, edge sensing, geospatial analysis or local medical diagnostic assistance.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$20K

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