BMCE Bank of Africa – African Entrepreneurship Award (USD$1 Million) 2022

The mentoring journey continues for businesses with Innovation or in Sports. Apply soon.

Application Deadline: 30th June 2022

Eligible Countries: African countries

About Award: Are you looking for mentoring to launch or grow your business or idea in Africa?

Type: Entrepreneurship

Eligibility: You, the entrepreneur, must meet these criteria as you submit your business proposal:

• You must be a citizen of an African country.
• You must be a minimum of 18 years old as of November 1, 2021.
• Your business or idea must be applicable in an African country.
• Your business or idea must include a technological component (digital, machinery, computers, ICT, automated processes, field related technologies,…)
• Your business or idea must be for profit.
• Your business or idea must create jobs beyond single family support.
• Your business or idea must have a social impact. You need to articulate the problem you are trying to solve as well as the solution you offer.
• Your business or idea must be relevant to one of these categories:
  1. Innovation: An idea or invention which is or can become a good or service that creates value for which customers will pay. Ex: Using a new technology (something new to the industry), or using a new business model (new way to deliver, collect, share), or solving a problem not solved before in your region.
  2. Sports: An idea, prototype or startup business in the sports industry which is a Product (e.g. apparel, equipment), Production Method (e.g. supply chain), Service (education, health, spectator-experience, athlete-experience), Supplier (e.g. sources of materials, resources), Market (e.g. buyers) orMedia (e.g. promotion, information)

What is not eligible in the Sports Category:

• Gambling
• Gaming
• Sponsorship (athlete or team)
• Single athlete to compete
• Single trainers

Additional Information:

• You can submit a proposal as a resident of any country worldwide – keeping in mind that you must be a citizen of an African country.
  For example, a resident of Canada with a Senegalese citizenship is eligible for this Award.
• Your business can operate in any African country even if you are not a citizen of that country.
  For example, a Ghanaian citizen can submit a proposal for a business in Liberia.
• You can submit a proposal for a business already in operation.
• Your business can operate across borders in multiple African countries.
• Your business should demonstrate the potential to scale beyond one region in Africa to pan-African impact.
• You can operate in multiple countries, but you will be asked to designate a primary African country that will benefit from your business.

Number of Awards: several

How to Apply: Submit your business idea beginning April 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022. Soon after you submit a completed proposal, a mentor will be in touch with you, guiding you to bettering your idea. And yes, if you have a better idea, you can resubmit it at least once before June 30, 2022.

Visit Awards Webpage for details