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Nelson Mandela Essay Prize 2026

Key Information
Organisation
Mandela Foundation & Partners
Status
Closing Soon
Application Deadline
18 Jul 2026 · 1 days left
Program Type
Prize
Amount
USD 5,000

About this Program

A prestigious opportunity for African thinkers to propose transformative ideas for the continents future.

Benefits & What You Get

Cash prize; publication in high-level journals; mentorship from retired African heads of state.

Eligibility

African citizens under 35 with a passion for public policy and continental development.

Startups That Could Apply

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Yoco South Africa Payments for SA small business
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Union54 Zambia's fintech unicorn story
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Botlhale AI Voice AI for African languages
South Africa
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Kasha Rwanda Women's health e-commerce
Rwanda
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Khazna Financial inclusion for Egypt
Egypt
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InstaDeep Tunisia AI champion acquired by BioNTech
Tunisia

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