U.S–West Africa Tech Challenge (Up to $250,000 USD)

The Challenge will be hosted in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on September 27-28 2023, as a two-part event. Part one will consist of the demo day featuring the selected technologists; part two will feature panels and discussions amongst technologists, government officials, civil society, academia, and media to share lessons learned and opportunities for cooperation around addressing the challenges.

About United States Department of State (DOS)

The United States Department of State (DOS),or State Department,is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the nation’s foreign policy and international relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other nations, its primary duties are advising the U.S. president, administering diplomatic missions, negotiating international treaties and agreements, and representing the U.S. at the United Nations.The department is headquartered in the Harry S Truman Building, a few blocks from the White House, in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C.; “Foggy Bottom” is thus sometimes used as a metonym.

Established in 1789 as the first administrative arm of the U.S. executive branch, the State Department is considered among the most powerful and prestigious executive agencies.It is headed by the Secretary of State, who reports directly to the President of the United States and is a member of the president’s Cabinet. Analogous to a foreign minister, the secretary of state serves as the federal government’s chief diplomat and representative abroad, and is the first Cabinet official in the order of precedence and in the presidential line of succession. The position is currently held by Antony Blinken who was appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 2021 by a vote of 78–22.

Benefits of U.S. West Africa Tech Challenge

• Up to three organizations will be selected as winners of the Challenge and will receive funding totaling $250,000 USD.

• Requirements for U.S. West Africa Tech Challenge Qualification

  • Organizations must be domiciled and headquartered across Africa, not just those based in Coastal West Africa.
  • Organizations must offer innovative solutions to help expose, understand, or counter disinformation, propaganda, and violent extremism within Coastal West Africa.

How To Apply

For more details, visit DOS website on http://www.becera.co/west-africa-tech-challenge