The African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF) is now open for applications, supporting collaborative solutions that address urgent urban challenges across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The initiative is led by the Million Lives Collective, in partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation, to accelerate smart, healthy, equitable, and resilient cities through locally driven innovation.
Funding Details
- Selected collaborations will receive grants of up to $75,000.
- Funding is flexible and supports the design, testing and piloting of innovative urban solutions, rather than large-scale implementation.
Programme Benefits
- Financial support to pilot innovative urban solutions.
- Access to networks, partnerships and ecosystem actors.
- Opportunities to test and refine scalable ideas.
- Visibility and support for future funding and scale.
Eligibility
- Open to African innovators working in pairs or collaborative teams.
- Applicants may include startups, NGOs, researchers, civic actors and private sector innovators.
- Projects must demonstrate collaboration and potential for scalable impact in urban settings.
Focus Areas
- Climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
- Digital equity and access to technology.
- Youth employment and urban mobility.
- Healthy, safe and inclusive urban spaces.
Geography
Projects must be implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting urban populations, especially low-income communities.
Key Dates
First stage applications close on April 10th
Apply Here