Solutions Lab 4-stage process

Africa’s defining challenges, and the people working on them

Every problem becomes an open challenge. We invite solutions, fund pilots and publish the results.

The process

How a problem moves through the lab

Four stages take each problem from a researched brief to a funded, tested and publicly reported solution.

  1. Stage 01

    Define

    The problem is researched with partners and set out in a brief backed by data.

    Output
    Problem brief
  2. Stage 02

    Challenge

    An open call invites solutions from innovators across the continent.

    Output
    Shortlisted solutions
  3. Stage 03

    Pilot

    Shortlisted solutions are funded by sponsors and run through the hubs.

    Output
    Pilot results
  4. Stage 04

    Scale and report

    Results are published openly and the strongest teams are honoured.

    Output
    Public report and awards

For innovators

Have a solution?

Respond to an open challenge and compete for pilot funding.

Submit a solution

For sponsors

Have a problem worth funding?

Put a problem forward and fund the pilots that test its solutions.

Sponsor a problem
Africa agenda

Three growth priorities for African business

03 priorities

  1. Agriculture and food systems

    Agro-processing, climate-smart farming, farmer incomes and youth in agribusiness.

    Lead Hub 01: every programme, award and summit

    Explore priority: Agriculture and food systems

  2. Digital Africa

    A year-round forum on connectivity, AI and digital public services.

    Lead Hub 08: ICT and science

    Explore priority: Digital Africa

  3. Industrialisation

    Turning Africa’s raw materials into finished products at home, with more jobs and value kept on the continent.

    Lead Hub 05: Finance, trade, industry

    Explore priority: Industrialisation
Projects you can join

Projects you can join, with a clear role for each partner

10 open projects
See all projects