Cameroonian AI recycling firm BleagLee has won the $1 million Grand Prize from the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing. The award, presented by the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation, recognizes companies driving innovation in Africa's manufacturing sector. The announcement was made at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, highlighting advancements in sustainable technology.
Recognizing African Innovation
BleagLee earned top honors for its innovative use of AI-powered waste collection to transform plastic, agricultural, and e-waste into premium recycled products. The company's patented software detects and collects waste, processing it into high-value materials like engineered polymers and 3D printing filaments. This approach turns an environmental challenge into a significant economic opportunity while aiming to mitigate 300 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030.
The prize also recognized other innovators, with Tanzania-based Freshpack Technologies named the $250,000 runner-up for its AI-powered cold storage solutions tackling food waste. Digitech Oasis Limited from the United Kingdom received $100,000 for the Most Advanced Use of 4IR technologies. Additional interim prizes totaling $750,000 were also distributed among finalists and semi-finalists throughout the competition cycle.
A Rigorous Selection Process
The competition, launched in May 2025, attracted a global pool of over 2,000 entrepreneurs from 100 countries. A comprehensive judging process evaluated each team on four key criteria: commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration, and market scalability. This rigorous evaluation ensured that only the most promising and impactful ventures advanced to the final stages.
From the initial applicants, ten semifinalists were selected to pitch their innovations to investors at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi. An expert panel then chose five finalists, including BleagLee, to present at the 2026 Milken Institute Global Conference. The unrestricted nature of the awards allows winners to invest the funds where they are most needed for business growth.
Fostering Global Impact
Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation, highlighted the significance of the prize in showcasing African innovation. She stated that Africa is producing world-class AI and technology that solves global problems and creates new opportunities. Dr. Moloi-Motsepe emphasized that investing in locally grounded, globally minded innovation yields limitless returns for a more equitable world.
Since its inception in 2021, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has awarded over $8 million to more than 50 innovators globally. Participating teams have successfully raised nearly 31 times the Grand Prize amount in additional outside investments. The program's impact has reached over one million community members across the globe through these ventures and curated online resources.
Launch of New Circular Economy Prize
Building on this success, the organizers announced the next prize will focus on the circular economy, offering $2 million in total awards, including a $1 million Grand Prize. This new competition seeks companies using technology to replace linear "take-make-waste" systems with regenerative, resource-efficient value chains. The initiative aims to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economic model in Africa and beyond.
The Circular Economy prize will specifically target solutions that address industrial waste management systems in Africa while delivering measurable environmental and social benefits. It also aims to support training and reskilling for safer, more specialized waste management practices. Registration for this new prize is now open and will close on August 13, 2026, for eligible companies.
The Milken-Motsepe Prize continues to be a powerful catalyst for change, spotlighting and funding transformative solutions to pressing global issues. By rewarding innovators like BleagLee, the program not only fosters economic growth and job creation but also champions a sustainable future. The new focus on the circular economy signals a continued commitment to building resilient and inclusive markets worldwide.