Projects

Hobby 2 Cash (H2C)

Hobby 2 Cash (H2C) is a youth-centered climate initiative implemented by the Boma Prize for Africa in collaboration with Greencraft by TGLC Ghana. The project empowered women artisans and young people under 20 by combining environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship and creative skills development.

Participants learned how to transform discarded glass bottles into handcrafted jewelry and souvenirs while promoting climate awareness through sustainable products. The project was community-driven, with local women and youth leading waste collection, craft production, and public awareness activities.

Impact

  • Reduced glass waste pollution in the Somanya community.
  • Created new income opportunities for women artisans.
  • Equipped young people with practical craft and entrepreneurial skills.
  • Increased climate change awareness through eco-friendly products and education.
  • Fostered diaspora engagement and support for sustainable community development.

Idea Commercialization Project

Idea Commercialization is a flagship initiative of the Boma Prize for Africa that empowers university students to transform innovative ideas and research into sustainable businesses and impact-driven solutions.

Delivered in partnership with JA Ghana and YUTEC at the Regional Maritime University, Accra, the six-week program provided hands-on training, expert mentorship, startup coaching and pitch opportunities. Participants develop entrepreneurial, leadership, and innovation skills while aligning their ideas with climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through this program, BPFA supported and refined over 10 student-led innovations while strengthening university-industry partnerships through mentorship and professional networking.

Boma Prize for Africa Awards

On completing the BEP and accelerator program, participants are eligible to apply for the Boma Prize for Africa (BPFA) Awards, where they pitch their business ideas for a chance to win a share of the $20,000 grant—funded by Boma Prize for Africa.

The prize distribution is as follows:

The prize distribution is as follows:

First Place: $10,000
 Second Place: $6,000
 Third Place: $4,000

Every participant gets a chance to pitch and compete!

The Competition

Here are the stages of the Boma Prize for Africa​

  1. Qualifier 

There are two ways to qualify and apply for the Boma Prize for Africa! You can join after successful completion of the Boma Entrepreneurship Program or the Boma Entrepreneurship Masterclass.

 2. Regional Competition & Finalist

Participants who take the Boma Entrepreneurship Program will be required to participate in all in-person pitch contest in their respective countries. This event will be organised and coordinated by the Boma Prize for Africa Country representatives and the top three finalist from each Country will proceed to participate in the semi-finals. Applicants who chose the masterclass route, will go straight into the semi-finals, after the eight weeks masterclass program.

3. Semi-Finals

The semi-final event will be a virtual event. All regional finalists will pitch, to secure a spot into the BPFA accelerator Program.

4. BPFA Accelerator

In September, our finalist teams, consisting of both the BEP and BEM entries, will connect with BPFA mentors. They will spend two months refining their business ideas and scalability, through virtual sessions. At the end of the accelerator, the finalists will be nominated by their respective coaches to pitch at the finals event in Ghana.

5. Finals

The finalist from the accelerator program gets an all-expense paid trip, to support their in-person final pitch. This is a live presentation in front of judges in Accra, Ghana. At the end of this presentation, the judges will decide on the winners.

Application for the Boma Prize for Africa is Now Closed

Our yearly competition challenges small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups to show the viability and scalability of their businesses.