Digital Transport for Africa (DT4A) innovation Challenge 2022

The Digital Transport for Africa (DT4A) Innovation Challenge has been announced by WRI Africa and WRI Ross Center in collaboration with Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The DT4A Innovation Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for projects who want to use open data and innovation to revolutionize transportation systems in African cities.

Four candidates will each receive a phased payment of US$30,000 to implement a new program over the course of a year, chosen by WRI and an expert jury.

Why the DT4A Innovation Challenge

Lack of data on transit systems presents a massive barrier for African cities, users and public transport operators hoping to navigate and plan for better and more efficient public transport. Lack of data also makes it impossible to measure progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 11.2, which calls for “safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.” Today, only 15 African cities have mapped their public transport and minibus taxi networks and have the data in a standardized and open format. At least 105 million people living in African cities do not have reliable information on their transit systems. Mapping cities’ transit networks can not only improve the experience of users but foster ecosystems and skills that can enable African cities to better leverage the data revolution.

Program Objectives

We know that many innovators are striving to fix these problems from the ground up in African cities. The DT4A Innovation Challenge aims to support organizations and initiatives ranging from private companies to universities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are contributing to the region’s open data movement as well as better planning and implementation of sustainable mobility, particularly in the paratransit or informal transportation sector.

Criteria For Selection

Applicants to the DT4A Innovation Challenge are invited to submit solutions in one of three activity areas. Applicants can apply for one of the activities listed below:

1. TECH, APPLICATION AND TOOLS DEVELOPMENT
2. CAPACITY BUILDING
3. RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Eligibility Criteria

The DT4A Innovation Challenge is open to organizations/NGOs, academic institutions, and private firms with projects or initiatives that meet the selection requirements. Applicants must have the assistance of local governments (municipalities), and letters of support from city officials are strongly encouraged. Applicants must be African or work in Africa to be considered. Each organization can only submit one application.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

To be considered a finalist, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Demonstrate a thorough understanding of DT4A’s goals and how your innovation or initiative fits into the DT4A Innovation Challenge.

Clearly describe the innovation and how it addresses a need/gap in the city/community, particularly for underserved/vulnerable groups.

Describe how the invention makes use of open-source transportation data, tools, and apps.

Describe how the proposed initiative/innovations would affect sustainable urban mobility in compliance with SDG 11 and the four policy objectives listed above (universal access, efficiency, safety and green).

Describe the innovation’s/scalability initiative’s to other geographies.

Explain how the grant will be used and justify its feasibility within the stated timeframe; AND
Provide a letter of support from a government agency that is relevant to your case.

How To Apply

Submission oof applications ends February 16th 2022

Click here to apply

Visit DT4A official website for more information

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