What is
the Challenge
of 1,000?

Announced at the press conference presenting the 2020 Africa-France Summit held in Bordeaux on Tuesday 17 September 2019, the Challenge of 1.000 is a joint initiative of Digital Africa and the Summit. 

The State will invite 1.000  African entrepreneurs to come to Bordeaux to present their solutions at The City of Solutions, a show dedicated to projects and solutions for sustainable cities and territories to be held during the 28th edition of the Africa-France Summit. June 4, 5 and 6, 2020. 

The selection of contractors will meet the following criteria: 

• Being an African entrepreneur, having an activity related to one of the 7 districts of The City of Solutions
• Gender Parity 
• Geographical balance of origin of Contractors 
• Balance of themes on the 7 districts (Access to essential services, Feeding the cities, Building and enhancing the city, Moving around the city / visit the city, Living in the city, Financing and structuring projects, Connecting the city) 
• To be the bearer of an innovative or duplicable solution, at a lower cost and a strong impact to make French and African cities more sustainable from an environmental and social point of view 
• Be registered on the Digital Africa platform.

The City of Solutions, a trade fair to highlight projects and initiatives for sustainable cities and regions. Designed as a 360° view of a city, it is structured around seven themed districts to create the city of the future together!

CALENDAR

• October 18 – January 31, 2020: Call for projects online on digital-africa.infinit-dev.io
• Every month: selection of the best applications, apply as soon as possible!
• End of March, 2020: Nomination of the 1.000 winners.
• June 4, 5 and 6, 2020: the Africa-France Summit in Bordeaux, France.

THE ESSENTIALS

In order to apply to the Challenge of 1,000:

• You have to be an African entrepreneur, having an activity related to one of the 7 districts of The City of Solutions
• Your organization needs a real legal existence (legal statute)
• Your organization should have an increasing revenue
• Your organization should beared a viable product or solution, innovative or duplicable at a lower cost, to make French and African cities more sustainable from an environmental and social point of view.

CAREFUL CONSIDERATION will be given by the jury to:

• Gender Parity, female candidates are encouraged to apply!
• Geographical balance of origin of Contractors 
• Balance of themes on the 7 districts.

WINNERS WILL BE INVITED (one person per organization): the costs of the plane tickets and 3-days accommodation in Bordeaux will be partially or fully beared depending on the financial capabilities of the winner.
Winners will have a space in the entrepreneurs’ stands at the City of Solutions.