Visionaries working together to improve Africa’s cities are being rewarded through an innovative grant scheme.

Two philanthropic entities – the Million Lives Collective and the Australia-based Judith Neilson Foundation – are collaborating to launch the African Cities Innovation Fund, reports Africa Business Communities. The fund will disperse grants of US$75 000 to pairs of innovators to scale tech-enabled solutions turning African cities into smart, healthy and sustainable environments.

The fund, which emphasises collaborative over individual projects, was announced on the sidelines of the International Development Innovation Alliance’s (IDIA) global summit in Nairobi recently.

‘African cities are growing at a dramatic pace, creating huge opportunities, challenges and change,’ said Abi Taylor, innovation lead at the Judith Neilson Foundation. ‘Ensuring that cities are places where people can thrive calls for imagination, ambition, innovation and collaboration.’

Applications for the grant will open in March 2026, according to TechCabal. Innovator partners who receive the grant will also be able to access tech support through IDIA’s collaboration unit. The IDIA’s involvement will give participants the tools to test their ideas and the sustainability of their partnerships.

9 December 2025
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