The Million Lives Collective and the Judith Neilson Foundation have launched the African Cities Innovation Fund to address urban challenges across the continent. Unveiled in Nairobi, this new partnership will provide grants of up to $75,000 to foster collaborative solutions for rapidly growing cities. The initiative aims to support joint teams of innovators building digital and infrastructure tools to improve urban life for millions of residents.
Addressing Rapid Urbanization
This fund arrives at a critical time as African cities experience unprecedented growth, with the urban population expanding at the fastest rate globally. Projections indicate this population will double to approximately 1.4 billion people by 2050, placing immense pressure on public infrastructure and services. This rapid expansion necessitates innovative and scalable solutions to ensure cities remain livable and resilient for future generations.
The launch also coincides with a challenging venture funding landscape for civic and climate technology startups in Africa. Recent data shows a significant decline in investment, particularly affecting early-stage ventures outside the fintech sector. This new fund provides a crucial alternative source of capital, specifically targeting the development of essential urban solutions that might otherwise struggle to secure backing.
A New Collaborative Funding Model
The African Cities Innovation Fund introduces a novel approach by prioritizing partnerships over individual ventures. It requires applicants to form collaborations between startups, civic groups, and public agencies from the outset of their projects. This model acknowledges that complex urban issues like transport, housing, and climate stress demand integrated, multi-sectoral responses rather than siloed efforts.
Jite Phido, Senior Program Manager at the Million Lives Collective, highlighted the fund's objective to identify and amplify existing innovation. The call for proposals will seek out collaborations that are already finding new ways to improve mobility, strengthen services, and build resilient local economies. This strategy aims to surface new, effective pathways for creating widespread and lasting impact in urban centers.
The initiative will focus on several key areas critical to sustainable urban development. These include circular production, climate-resilient infrastructure, digital equity, youth employment, and the creation of safer urban spaces. By targeting these specific domains, the fund aims to foster holistic solutions that address the interconnected challenges faced by Africa's growing metropolitan areas.
Beyond Financial Support
Successful applicants will receive more than just financial backing, as they will also join the prestigious Million Lives Collective network. This inclusion provides grantees with enhanced visibility, technical support, and valuable coaching on managing effective partnerships. The program is designed to test not only the viability of ideas but also the resilience of collaborative models under real-world conditions.
At the launch event, Abi Taylor, Innovation Director at the Judith Neilson Foundation, emphasized the fund's role in fostering experimentation. She stated the partnership would give innovators the necessary room to test new partnerships and explore different scaling pathways. This approach is rooted in the belief that imagination, ambition, and collaboration are essential for ensuring cities remain places where people can thrive.
The Million Lives Collective brings valuable experience from previous collaboration grants in sectors like health and women's economic empowerment. This new fund adapts that proven model to the unique complexities of urban environments, where success often depends on local trust and public authority. Past participants have affirmed that such partnerships are critical for moving innovative solutions from a pilot phase to a full-scale rollout.
The African Cities Innovation Fund represents a strategic and timely intervention designed to harness collaborative innovation for Africa's urban future. By championing partnerships and providing flexible funding, the initiative is poised to unlock scalable solutions for the continent's most pressing urban challenges. With applications set to open in early 2026, the fund marks a significant step toward building more resilient, equitable, and thriving cities.