The Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation have announced the winners of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Manufacturing.
The $2 million competition recognises companies driving innovation in Africa’s manufacturing sector with the potential to scale, create jobs and spread the adoption of these technologies globally.
The awards were announced during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.
BleagLee, a Cameroon-based AI-powered waste recycling company, won the $1 million grand prize. The company was rewarded for its work in leveraging AI to convert plastic, agricultural and electronic waste (e-waste) into recycled products.
Tanzania-based Freshpack Technologies was named the $250 000 runner-up for its AI-powered cold storage, which tackles food waste in Africa.
Digitech Oasis Limited, from the UK, received $100 000 for the most advanced use of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). The company demonstrated technological capabilities that will shape manufacturing over the next decade.
AI and Manufacturing is the fourth prize awarded as part of the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Programme.
This is a series of competitive multimillion-dollar global awards designed to incentivise technological solutions to address economic and environmental challenges in Africa and across the globe.
Launched in May 2025, the contest attracted more than 2 000 entrepreneurs from 100 countries across five continents, with ten being selected as semifinalists. Each team underwent a judging process that evaluated four key criteria: commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration and market scalability.
In December 2025, the ten semifinalists pitched their innovations to investors at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi. Each team received $50 000 in unrestricted funding before the final pitch.
“Africa is producing world-class AI and technology innovation that is solving problems and creating opportunities on a global scale. And that story is only beginning to be told,” said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO, Motsepe Foundation.
“When we invest in innovation that is both locally grounded and globally minded, the returns are limitless. I am delighted to see partnerships like this one ensure the brightest minds have the resources, networks, and platforms they need to scale their work and shape a more prosperous and equitable world.”
Dr. Emily Musil, managing director of environmental and social innovation at the Milken Institute, added: : “Our prize program has become a powerful engine for discovering and accelerating extraordinary innovators who are tackling some of the world’s most urgent challenges across industries.
“As we turn our focus to the Circular Economy, we are especially energised to champion entrepreneurs who are fundamentally reimagining how materials are used, recovered, and reused.”
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