African Leadership Academy Zimbabwe Innovation Prize Frequently Asked Questions

What is African Leadership Academy?
African Leadership Academy (ALA) is a nonprofit institution based in Johannesburg that seeks to transform Africa by developing and supporting future generations of African leaders. Over the next 50 years, ALA aims to develop 6,000 leaders—innovators and problem-solvers who will launch large-scale enterprises that can eradicate poverty, who will establish innovative non-profit organizations to address Africa’s most pressing social and environmental challenges, and who will enable governments to make effective policies that will facilitate economic growth and political stability on the continent.

What is the Zimbabwe Innovation Prize?
The Zimbabwe Innovation Prize is a prize that will be awarded to a young Zimbabwean between the ages of 14 and 18 who has created an innovative solution to a pressing problem in their community, who has demonstrated passion for Africa, and who has academic promise. It honors a young African innovator and leader, much in the same way the Nobel Prize or Mohamed Ibrahim Prize honor more mature leaders.

What is the actual prize?
The winner will receive a  two-year scholarship (Approximate value US$40,000) and admission to African Leadership Academy, an academy for 16-19 year olds in South Africa that aims to create 6,000 leaders in the next 50 years.

How do I enter? Who can enter?
Zimbabweans between the ages of 14 and 18 who have created an innovative solution to a pressing problem in their community, have demonstrated passion for Africa, and show academic promise are invited to enter by downloading, completing and submitting the entry form. Others are encouraged to nominate eligible Zimbabweans. In all cases, the form must be filled out by the nominee. Please only submit one entry form. Multiple entries will be ignored and can lead to your disqualification.

What is an example of an “innovative solution to a pressing problem?”
To see examples of youth leaders who have addressed a variety of pressing problems in their communities, please visit: http://www.africanleadershipacademy.org/about/students/studentprofiles/index.html

What do you mean by “community?”
A community can be an extended household, school, church or religious community, neighbourhood, town, or city. In a case where an award is given but the definition of community is not clear, then the award winning youth will be asked to nominate 3 people to act as a committee responsible for the use and dispersion of the community component of the award.

I have a great idea of something I would like to do. Can I apply?
The Zimbabwe Innovation Prize will only be awarded to nominees who have actually implemented their innovation which has benefited their community. Simply having an idea is not sufficient. The idea has to have been realized and be verifiable. Make your great idea into a reality and apply next year.

I’m 14, but the scholarship is for 16-19 year olds
If you are under the age of admission to ALA, then your scholarship will be held for you until you have reached the minimum age of 16.

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