The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing, announced at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference, challenges entrepreneurs to develop AI solutions that boost local production, strengthen supply chains, and create industrial jobs across the continent. South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe and the U.S.-based Milken Institute co-founded the initiative.

Submissions close July 31, 2025, with a $1 million grand prize for the most transformative entry. Organizers emphasized the need for solutions that leverage smart-factory tools to localize supply chains, increase access to essentials like housing materials and medical supplies, and generate sustainable employment. The equity-free funding targets scalable, real-world implementations rather than theoretical concepts.

Africa faces a stark manufacturing gap, contributing under 2% of global output despite housing nearly 18% of the world’s population. This dependency on imports leaves economies vulnerable to supply shocks—a challenge Ghana and neighboring nations seek to overcome through technological leaps. Analysts from groups like the Institute for Security Studies argue manufacturing-led growth could outperform agriculture in job creation due to its ripple effects on logistics and services.

The prize builds on the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Series’ legacy, which has awarded over $6 million to 50+ startups since 2021. Previous winners in agritech, fintech, and energy have impacted 530,000 people and attracted follow-on investments. This fourth installment prioritizes industrial development, aligning with Ghana’s focus under President John Mahama’s administration to diversify beyond commodities.

While open globally, solutions must address Africa’s unique constraints. The Motsepe Foundation’s philanthropic credibility—anchored by a 2013 pledge to donate half its wealth—lends weight to the initiative. Success hinges on whether AI can catalyze systemic change, turning high-potential concepts into engines for export growth and resilient economies.