Äänit Prize for African Social Impact Innovators ·Mandela Rhodes Foundation

Overview

The 2026 Äänit Prize, announced by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, supports innovative African entrepreneurs and changemakers with funding to address pressing challenges in Africa.

Eligibility

This competition is open exclusively to Mandela Rhodes Scholarship alumni and Rhodes Scholarship alumni from 2005 onwards.

Benefits

Winners can receive up to USD 100,000 in funding to scale their initiatives and increase their social impact. The amount of prize money awarded is determined by an independent judging panel.

How to Apply

The application process consists of several stages:

• Step 1: Indication of Interest - Submit a short motivation outlining your project or initiative.
• Step 2: Invitation to Apply - Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit full applications after an initial review.
• Step 3: Full Application Submission - Submit detailed project proposals and supporting documentation.
• Step 4: Interviews and Pitching - Longlisted candidates will participate in interviews and deliver pitches.
• Step 5: Proposal Improvement - Final-round candidates will receive feedback to improve their proposals.
• Step 6: Final Selection - An independent panel will evaluate applications and announce winners at a celebration event on 18 September 2026.

Deadline

Applications will open on 20 May 2026 and close on 17 June 2026.