The African Union (AU) has officially opened applications for its 2026 Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) programme, offering grants of up to $50,000 to innovators delivering scalable solutions to Africa’s most pressing education challenges.

Announced by the AU’s Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, the programme aims to address structural gaps in the continent’s education system, ranging from access and quality to alignment with labour market needs. The initiative comes as Africa faces persistent education disparities: approximately 20% of children aged 6–11 are out of school, rising to 33% for ages 12–14, while nearly 60% of youth aged 15–17 are excluded, with girls disproportionately affected.

The AU is calling on innovators from all AU Member States to submit their applications by 30 April 2026, 23:00 EAT. Eligible applicants include legally registered organisations operating within Africa, demonstrating practical, scalable solutions that improve learning outcomes, enhance teacher development, and better prepare learners for employment.

The 2026 IEA programme expands its focus to include basic and secondary education, higher education, and technical and vocational training, with special attention to emerging technologies such as AI, robotics, and digital platforms. Innovations that integrate green skills development, AI ethics, STEM training, and industry-led apprenticeship programmes are strongly encouraged.

Selected innovations will not only receive financial support but also gain visibility and engagement opportunities with policymakers and development partners, enabling solutions to scale across the continent.

Applicants are required to submit a brief statement outlining the challenge their innovation addresses, a detailed description of the innovation and its alignment with AU strategic frameworks—including CESA, CTVET-34, STISA-2034, and the AU Continental AI Strategy—as well as performance outcomes and documentation of business registration and operational licenses.

The programme is designed to strengthen Africa’s digital transformation, skills alignment with industry, and research commercialization, while promoting ethical and responsible adoption of technology in education.

By fostering innovation across education systems, the AU hopes to bridge access gaps, improve learning outcomes, and equip African youth with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital and technology-driven economy.

The African Union’s IEA programme represents a strategic investment in the continent’s future, ensuring that education innovations can reach their full potential and transform lives for generations to come