AFIF09 partner, the African Development Bank (AfDB), has confirmed its sponsorship of the grand prize that will be awarded to the winning project proposal. The EMRC-AfDB Project Incubator Award aims to encourage and inspire development projects within Africa and is calling for entries from all sectors in Africa, with a focus on microfinance, energy, housing, agriculture, trade and industry.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their sustainable business ideas that embody the inherent entrepreneurship and innovation of the African continent while demonstrating the potential economic and social impact their project holds for their local community.
The award will be presented in Amsterdam at the Africa Finance & Investment Forum gala evening on 14 December 2009, to the project that most effectively fulfills this mandate. Winners will receive the cash prize of US$15 000 toward the project, with the ongoing support and guidance of both EMRC and the African Development Bank.
“We are looking for project ideas that contribute to AFIF09's theme of Growth and Development, with a particular emphasis on uplifting the local communities in which the ideas will be realised. We are also interested in African-inspired innovation, solutions that draw on local wisdom and practice. We look forward to discovering the ingenuity of our delegates and together with our partner, the African Development Bank, to pursuing our joint purpose of implementing sustainable change on the African continent.” Idit Miller, managing director, EMRC.
The cutoff date for entries is the 3 December 2009, after which four to six project proposals will be selected by the EMRC-AfDB panel. These projects will all have the opportunity to present their work at the Africa Finance & Investment Forum in Amsterdam to an audience of over 250 financiers, bankers, government officials, private sector investors and entrepreneurs from around the world. In addition to the grand prize of US$15 000, two runners-up will also be announced.
Confirmed delegates are urged to submit their entries. Non-delegates interested in submitting a proposal must register for the Africa Finance & Investment Forum.
For more information, go to www.emrc.be
