African Cities Innovation Fund
Advancing thriving urban futures in Africa through innovative collaborations
The Million Lives Collective has joined forces with the Judith Nielson Foundation to launch a new grant program aimed at catalyzing collaborative innovations for smart, healthy, equitable and resilient cities in Africa.
The African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF) will officially open for applications in early 2026, inviting pairs of African innovators to apply for flexible grant funding of up to $75,000 to design and pilot new collaborative solutions to urban challenges in Africa.
Are you an African innovator working to address urban challenges ?
We’re on the lookout for impactful, scale-ready innovations that are advancing thriving urban futures in Africa through:
Circular Production: Innovations that promote economic development and sustainable livelihoods, while replenishing natural resources and repurposing waste
Climate-Resilient Services and Infrastructure: Innovations that reduce emissions, while supporting communities to adapt and respond to emerging urban climate challenges, including heat stress, flooding, food insecurity and water scarcity.
Youth employment and mobility: Innovations that improve young people’s access to decent work, skills, transport and urban mobility, with a particular focus on young people, women, girls, refugees and persons with disabilities.
Digital Equity: Innovations that support inclusive access to sustainable urban technologies, digital services, platforms, or global digital markets
Safe and Healthy Spaces: Innovations that create thriving, socially secure, healthy, and joyful urban environments, while contributing to wellbeing for all and strengthening community cohesion and belonging.
Interested in collaborating with fellow innovators for deeper impact? Express your interest in our upcoming call for urban innovations for latest updates on how to apply for the African Cities Innovation Fund!