About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) has officially launched the 2026 SDG Innovation Challenge, calling on young African innovators to develop technology-driven healthcare solutions that address some of the continent’s most pressing public health challenges.
The initiative, supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, builds on lessons and successes from the 2025 edition and aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The competition is specifically targeting STEM graduates under the age of 35, with a strong emphasis on encouraging applications from women innovators across Africa.
Competition Focuses on Healthcare Innovation Across Africa
According to AIMS, the 2026 challenge seeks to identify and support young Africans developing innovative solutions capable of improving healthcare systems and advancing healthcare outcomes throughout the continent.
The programme aims to promote:
Youth-led innovation in healthcare.
Technology-based problem solving.
Data-driven public health solutions.
Sustainable development aligned with the SDGs.
Stronger and more resilient African health systems.
Organisers say the initiative reflects growing recognition of the role young innovators can play in addressing healthcare inequalities, service delivery gaps, and emerging public health challenges across Africa.
Innovation Fellowship Awards Available for Winners
Selected participants will receive the Innovation Fellowship Award, designed to help young innovators further develop and scale their proposed solutions.
Winning applicants will gain access to:
A four-month innovation fellowship stipend.
Mentorship from global entrepreneurship experts.
Technical and business development training.
Networking opportunities with industry leaders and development partners.
Opportunities to showcase and pilot their solutions.
Participants will also have the opportunity to join the AIMS Rwanda Innovation Program, where they will receive additional support to strengthen their ideas and transform them into scalable impact-driven projects.
Hackathon to Support Solution Development
As part of the programme, AIMS will host a specialised SDG Innovation Challenge Hackathon focused on refining and strengthening proposed healthcare innovations.
The hackathon will encourage participants to:
Apply digital technologies to healthcare challenges.
Develop practical and scalable solutions.
Collaborate with fellow innovators and mentors.
Test and improve prototype ideas.
Strengthen data-driven innovation approaches.
Organisers say the hackathon component is intended to help participants move from concepts to practical implementation-ready solutions.
Women Innovators Strongly Encouraged to Apply
AIMS highlighted that the programme is particularly encouraging women innovators to participate, reflecting broader efforts to improve gender inclusion within Africa’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics sectors.
The organisation says increasing women’s participation in innovation ecosystems is essential for:
Inclusive economic growth.
Diverse problem-solving approaches.
Gender-responsive healthcare innovation.
Expanded opportunities for young African women in STEM.
Programme Supports Africa’s Growing Innovation Ecosystem
The challenge comes amid increasing investment in youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and health technology across Africa.
Experts say African innovators are playing an increasingly important role in areas such as:
Digital health systems.
Telemedicine and mobile healthcare.
Data-driven disease monitoring.
Artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Community-based health technologies.
Innovation programmes like the AIMS SDG Innovation Challenge are designed to strengthen local talent and support homegrown solutions capable of responding to African healthcare realities.
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
The competition is open to:
African STEM graduates.
Young innovators under the age of 35.
Individuals with healthcare-focused innovation ideas.
Applicants passionate about sustainable development and social impact.
The organisers are seeking participants who demonstrate:
Creativity and innovation.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Commitment to healthcare improvement.
Potential for scalable impact.
How to apply