A Cameroon-based waste recycling company, BleagLee, has emerged as the Grand Prize winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing, securing a $1 million award for its technology-driven approach to waste management and sustainable manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The winners were announced at the Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles, where the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation recognised companies developing scalable manufacturing solutions with the potential to create jobs and expand technology adoption across Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BleagLee received top honours for its use of artificial intelligence to improve waste collection and transform plastic, agricultural, and electronic waste into premium recycled materials. The company\u2019s operations focus on converting waste into engineered recycled polymers, 3D printing filaments, and bio-based carbon materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the organisers, the company combines AI-powered waste detection systems with community-based collection networks to address environmental challenges while creating economic opportunities. BleagLee said its long-term objective includes helping to reduce carbon emissions through large-scale recycling and material recovery systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tanzania-based Freshpack Technologies was named runner-up and awarded $250,000 for its AI-powered cold storage technology aimed at reducing food waste across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, United Kingdom-based Digitech Oasis Limited received a $100,000 award for the Most Advanced Use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional interim funding totalling $750,000 was distributed among finalists and semi-finalists during the competition cycle. Five finalists each received $30,000, while 10 semi-finalists were awarded $50,000 each to support the development and expansion of their innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The AI and Manufacturing competition marks the fourth edition of the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, a multimillion-dollar initiative designed to support technological solutions addressing economic and environmental challenges in Africa and other regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Launched in May 2025, the competition attracted more than 2,000 entrepreneurs from 100 countries across five continents. From that pool, 10 semi-finalists advanced through multiple evaluation stages based on commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration, and market scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In December 2025, semi-finalists presented their innovations to investors during the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi. Five finalists \u2014 BleagLee, Digitech Oasis Limited, Freshpack Technologies, Spiro, and Toto Safi Limited \u2014 were later selected to pitch at the 2026 Milken Institute Global Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking during the announcement, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and chief executive of the Motsepe Foundation, said African innovators are increasingly developing globally competitive technology solutions capable of solving major social and economic challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She noted that investment in locally grounded innovation with international relevance could create significant long-term impact across industries and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organisers also announced the launch of a new Milken-Motsepe Prize focused on the circular economy. The initiative will offer $2 million in total prizes, including a $1 million Grand Prize, to companies developing technology-driven systems that promote material reuse, waste reduction, and sustainable industrial practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The upcoming competition will target businesses working across sectors including food systems, packaging, electronics, construction, textiles, and manufacturing. Organisers said participating companies must demonstrate operational readiness, measurable social impact, and active deployment of solutions within Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since its launch in 2021, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has awarded more than $8 million to innovators globally, while participating teams have reportedly attracted substantial additional investment and expanded their reach to communities across multiple regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n