African Space Expo (ASPEX)Innovation Challenge 2026
About the ASPEX Innovation Challenge
As the global IoT market moves towards a projected value exceeding USD 1 trillion by 2030, Africa has a unique opportunity to become a major contributor to the downstream space economy. The African Space Expo (ASPEX),scheduled for 24–26 September 2026, is a continent-wide competition designed to identify and showcase the most promising African innovators working at the intersection of IoT and downstream space science, and to place that talent before a global industry audience at ASPEX 2026. This year’s competition is held under the theme “Space Above, Solutions Below: African Youth Defining the IoT Frontier”.
The competition is open to university students, innovators, and early-stage startups from all African Union Member States. Participants are invited to develop solutions that address pressing challenges in areas such as agriculture, health, energy, climate resilience, logistics, environmental management, and socio-economic development through the application of satellite connectivity, Earth Observation data, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
The Challenge Will Specifically
- 01Surface market-ready IoT concepts from African university students and startups that leverage the downstream applications of space science and technology, including satellite connectivity, Earth Observation data, and GNSS-based positioning.
- 02Create a credible, competitive pathway from idea to concept prototype to international stage, culminating in a showcase at ASPEX before a global space industry audience.
- 03Connect African innovators directly with industry partners, investors, space agencies, and technical experts who can accelerate solutions from prototype to market.
- 04Demonstrate to the global space industry that Africa has the engineering talent and institutional infrastructure to be a productive partner in the downstream IoT value chain.
- 05Advance the representation of women in African space technology and IoT through intentional programme design.
- 06Give opportunity to the finalists to pitch their solutions before a curated audience of global space industry stakeholders, leading investors, space agency representatives at ASPEX 2026.
Winning Packages
One representative from each of the six finalist teams, including the representative from the Best All-Female Team, will receive full sponsorship, in accordance with the applicable African Union rules and procedures, to participate in ASPEX 2026.
1st Place
US$1,000
Cash award + Full ASPEX 2026 sponsorship + Official citation from the African Space Agency
2nd Place
US$600
Cash award + Full ASPEX 2026 sponsorship + Official citation from the African Space Agency
3rd Place
US$400
Cash award + Full ASPEX 2026 sponsorship + Official citation from the African Space Agency
Each finalist team will receive an official citation from the African Space Agency in recognition of its outstanding achievement and contribution to Africa’s expanding space and Internet of Things (IoT) innovation ecosystem.
Eligibility
The ASPEX Innovation Challenge is open to university students and early-stage startups from across Africa. Applicants must satisfy all of the following criteria:
- Participants must be African nationals or African-domiciled teams; applications are open to individuals and teams from all African Union Member States.
- University student teams must be currently enrolled at a recognised African university or tertiary institution at the time of application.
- Startup applicants are not required to be formally registered businesses; however, all team members must be African nationals or permanent residents of an African country.
- Registered startup businesses must be domiciled in Africa and their core activities must be aligned with their proposed IoT or space technology downstream application.
- Registered businesses must submit their business registration documents alongside their application.
- Proposed solutions must address a real developmental, environmental, agricultural, health, energy, or socioeconomic challenge in Africa, leveraging IoT technologies as a downstream application of space science and technology.
- Solutions may be at the idea, proof-of-concept, prototype, or piloting stage.
- Each team may submit only one application and propose one solution or concept.
- Teams may comprise between one and five members.
- All applications, pitch decks, and supporting materials must be submitted in either English or French.
Shortlisted finalists must be available and able to attend and participate in person at the African Space Expo (ASPEX) from 24–26 September 2026 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
How to Apply
The ASPEX Innovation Challenge application portal opens on 15 June 2026 through the official ASPEX website and Edenway Foundation website. Interested startups and university student teams should submit their applications through the portal and include a pitch deck of 5 to 10 slides covering the following:
- *The developmental, environmental, or socioeconomic challenge being addressed.
- *The proposed IoT solution and its connection to downstream space science and technology.
- *The competencies, background, and composition of the team.
Applications may be submitted in English or French.
Key Milestones
Applications Open 15 June 2026
Ready to define Africa’s IoT frontier?
Submit your application and pitch deck before 21 July 2026. For enquiries and submission requirements, visit the ASPEX Innovation Challenge page on the Edenway Foundation website or contact us directly.