Tomorrow (March 1) is the last day for entries for the sixth Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge (AYTIC) to be held in Windhoek, Namibia, from May 28-31.

The AYTIC is an exclusive platform being provided to African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their innovative projects to the global marketplace to find the required support for their projects.

The top five finalists of the Challenge will be showcased to industry leaders, mentors, and possible funders and/or partners.

The Challenge timelines are as follows:

• Entries closing date: March 1.
• Adjudicators will shortlist top five: March 22.
• Shortlisted project promoters will be informed: March 29.
• Mentorship for elevator pitches (12 hours): April 10 until May 16.
• Submission of shortlisted project promoters: five-minute presentations.
• Top three announced: May 31.
• Competitor required to show a demo/Minimum Viable Product (five-minutes) during the presentation.
• Winners and Runners-up announcement: At ATLF Awards in Gaborone, Botswana, in September.

Last year, 114 entries were received from across Africa. Gloria Kisulu from Kenya emerged as the winner of the 2023 AYTIC, followed by Cornelius Ugwunwa from Nigeria as the first runner-up and South African Ntshabo Lehong as second runner-up.

The winner receives grant seed in cash and in kind to the value of US$10 000, with US$1 000 to US$1 500 in cash to support his or her project. 

The first and second runner up gets US$5 000 grant seed in cash and in kind, with US$500 to US$1 000 in cash support their projects.

Other benefits include mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities as well as opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators and enrolment into the Africa Tourism Innovation Hub.

The AYTIC is held annually along with the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit.

Interested participants can click here to enter the Challenge.