Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is launching the AFD Digital Challenge for the 5th consecutive year.
The AFD Digital Challenge 2021 is aimed at entrepreneurs who develop digital solutions aimed at protecting the climate and biodiversity. The challenge is dedicated to startups, associations, and research centres on the African continent.
In line with SDG Goal-13, the AFD Digital Challenge is aimed at all projects that integrate digital technology at the heart of their solution and have a viable economic model. The projects should also offer innovative solutions to reduce the carbon impact of economic activities, encourage a sustainable, participatory and citizen-based management of natural resources, and promote sustainable economic activity in line with environmental issues.
The ten (10) winning projects will benefit from an acceleration pack, which includes personalised technical support and a financial package worth €20,000 (approx. USD$ 24,000).
About AFD Digital Challenge
Since 2016, the AFD Digital Challenge has been rewarding the most innovative African startups, associations and research centres in terms of digital technology and solving sustainable development goals in the continent. After 5 years of existence, 35 African start-ups have benefited from financial support and coaching to scale up their businesses.
The digital revolution is transforming the African continent, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs who combine innovation, economic performance and social and/or environmental impact. When addressing climate and biodiversity issues, information, and communication technologies are, most of the time, considered through their negative impacts (infrastructure, electronic waste & data storage among others).
Are you confident that you have what it takes to be among the 2021 winners? Apply Here
About Agence Française de Développement
Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group is a public institution that implements France’s policy in the areas of development and international solidarity. Development is one of the country’s 3 pillars for external action, along with diplomacy and defence. Their mission is to contribute to the economic, social, and environmental progress of low and middle-income countries.
In practical terms, this mission is carried out by providing loans, grants, expertise or technical assistance. These forms of assistance are granted to States, local authorities, companies, foundations or NGOs and are used to complete projects in many different fields including climate, biodiversity, energy, education and urban planning, health, digital technology, sport, and training.
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The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group funds, supports and accelerates the transition to a fairer and more sustainable world. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, their teams carry out more than 4,000 projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and another 115 countries. In this way, they contribute to the commitment of France, and French people to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AFD Group comprises AFD, and its subsidiary Proparco, which is dedicated to financing private-sector stakeholders. Thanks to its network of 85 agencies throughout the world, AFD Group finances and monitors over 4,000 development projects and programmes. In 2019, the Group’s commitments amounted to €14.1B (approx. USD$ 17B)
Through the Inter-ministerial Committee for International Cooperation, and Development (CICID), the French government defines the main development and international solidarity policies which are in turn implemented by AFD.
The CICID has prioritised the following: international stability, climate, education, gender equality and health. In order to support these priorities, the French government agreed in 2017 to increase funds so that 0.55% of the Gross National Income is dedicated to Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 2022, its highest level since 1995.
AFD Group has defined foundational commitments aimed at meeting these ambitions: 100% Paris Agreement and 100% social link. They are convinced that these two major commitments, tied to preserving the climate and well-being among populations, are closely related. Together, they form the foundations of their mission.
