The Ministry of ICT Eswatini, through its Department of Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RSTI), has officially announced a call for applications for the Ms. Geek Africa 2026 Competition, targeting young women and girls across Eswatini with a passion for technology and innovation.

The competition is part of a broader continental initiative led under the umbrella of the Smart Africa, and will culminate at the prestigious Transform Africa Summit in 2026.

Focus on AI-Driven Social Impact

Under the theme “HerLens AI Solutions  Real Problems. Inclusive Solutions. Scalable Impact.”, the program encourages participants to develop artificial intelligence-based solutions that address real challenges affecting women and girls across Africa.

Applicants are expected to propose innovations that are not only technically sound but also socially relevant, scalable, and capable of driving meaningful impact in communities.

Who Can Apply

The competition is open to:

• Female applicants aged 13–21 years
• Nationals of Smart Africa member states
• Individual innovators (no group submissions allowed)

Participants may submit:

• Early-stage concepts or ideas
• UI/UX prototypes or mockups
• Fully working solutions or functional products

Opportunities for Selected Participants

Successful applicants will gain access to a range of high-value opportunities, including:

• Intensive mentorship and bootcamp training
• Networking with African tech leaders and innovators
• Continental exposure and visibility at a major innovation platform
• Prizes and potential support to scale their solutions

These opportunities are designed to bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and real-world deployment, particularly for young innovators who may lack access to technical or financial resources.

Strengthening Eswatini’s Innovation Pipeline

For Eswatini, the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen digital skills development and position young people—especially girls—as active participants in the technology economy.

It also reinforces the Ministry’s broader vision of building an inclusive innovation ecosystem where youth-led solutions contribute directly to national and continental development goals.

Deadline and Submission Details

Applications must be submitted by 10 June 2026 via email to:
msgeekafrica@smartafrica.org

Subject line format:
Ms. Geek Africa 2026 — [Full Name], [Country]

Conclusion

The Ms. Geek Africa 2026 competition represents more than a contest—it is a structured pathway for identifying and nurturing the next generation of female technology leaders in Africa. For young innovators in Eswatini, it offers a rare opportunity to move from ideas to impact on a continental stage.