AFRICA 4.0 Awards 2026: AISMA and UNIDO Invite Nominations for African Excellence in Industry 4.0
The AFRICA 4.0 Awards celebrate African innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industrial leaders contributing to the continent's digital and industrial transformation. Organised by AISMA with support from UNIDO, the second edition will culminate in Dakar, Senegal.
Overview
The AFRICA 4.0 Awards seek to recognise African excellence in smart manufacturing, technological innovation, applied research, digital transformation, industrial leadership, and inclusive participation in Industry 4.0. Organised by the Alliance for I4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA) with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the 2026 edition marks the second staging of the awards and will be held in Dakar, Senegal.
Nominations are open across four distinct categories:
- Technological Innovation in Industry 4.0: For practical solutions using advanced technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, digital twins, and data analytics.
- Young Researcher in Industry 4.0: For promising Master's, PhD, postdoctoral researchers, and young faculty members contributing to industrial modernisation.
- Digital Leadership & Industrial Transformation: For industrial companies, manufacturing SMEs, public agencies, and clusters demonstrating results in applying digital solutions.
- Women in Industry 4.0 in Africa: Celebrating women researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers, executives, and founders driving an inclusive ecosystem.
Eligibility
Potential nominees include startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research teams, innovation laboratories, industrial technology providers, individual technology leaders, public agencies, and industrial clusters. Applicants must select the award category that best matches their work and demonstrate a meaningful connection to Industry 4.0 and Africa's industrial transformation.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the online nomination form and submit a project description of up to 300 words detailing the problem addressed, technological or research components, socio-environmental and economic impact, project stage, and scalability potential.
Additionally, candidates must compile all required supporting materials into a single PDF document not exceeding 10 MB. A missing document may result in disqualification. The mandatory package includes:
- Motivation letter
- Two recommendation letters from recognised researchers or industry leaders
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Additional supporting materials where relevant
Deadline
The submission deadline for nominations is 30 September 2026. Finalists will be selected on 15 October 2026, and the award ceremony will take place in November 2026.