Next-Gen Industry: A Prize in Scalable AI and Manufacturing Innovation

Every Milken-Motsepe Prize begins with a future-focused vision grounded in rigorous research. The design process analyzes trends across technology, capital flows, policy, market dynamics, workforce shifts, and regional contexts. Through expert interviews, stakeholder engagement, and structured analysis, it identifies the gap between current systems and the outcomes needed for more equitable, efficient, and resilient growth. This approach ensures each prize is both ambitious and practical.

Across Africa, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to drive significant economic transformation. By 2030, AI could contribute nearly $2.9 trillion to the continent’s gross domestic product, while global estimates reach $15.7 trillion. Capturing this opportunity would help close critical infrastructure gaps while improving competitiveness through more efficient manufacturing and supply chains.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing addresses a key challenge: connecting manufacturers ready to adopt AI with innovators ready to deploy it. Designed for established, growth-stage businesses, the prize aligns incentives across the ecosystem, channels capital, validates real-world performance, and accelerates adoption at scale. 

Teams are evaluated across four equally weighted criteria: commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration, and market scalability in Africa. The prize awards a total of $2 million, including $1 million to the grand prize winner. Finalists and semifinalists also receive unrestricted funding, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with investors and industry leaders.

Download the report to learn more about the prize design process, the potential of AI in manufacturing, and how African companies are leading the way.

Learn more about the Milken Institute’s Innovation Prize Programming.

Learn more about the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.