Have a smart mobility idea? Gauteng’s NCIC 2026 wants to hear about it – Hypertext

South African innovators, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and university research teams take note: The Gauteng instalment of the National CleanTech Innovation Challenge (NCIC) is currently fielding submissions.

The NCIC 2026 is organised by the Technology Innovation Agency in partnership with the Network for Global Innovation, Start-Up Culture, and Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. This year, the theme of the challenge is smart mobility and the organisers have put together a R20 million prize pool to award those who submit the best ideas.

Per a release published by Wits University, the challenge encompasses electric and alternative fuel vehicles, intelligent transport systems, last-mile delivery systems, ride sharing, transport data analytics and much more. To put it simply, if it has to do with transportation and it can be digitalised, then it’s likely to be considered by the judges.

“Gauteng is a high-density testing ground for the future of sustainable urban mobility. Through NCIC 2026, we are surfacing world-class cleantech solutions. From EV infrastructure to intelligent data analytics that address the universal challenge of decarbonising rapid urbanisation. This challenge gives mobility innovators a structured pathway to go from idea to impact and from pilot to pavement, while also positioning South African ingenuity as a vital contributor to the global green economy,” says Mark Harris, CEO of Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.

The Gauteng challenge is just one of nine NCIC 2026 challenges. Each province will have its own challenge pertaining to a cleantech priority in that particular province. Traffic is a major problem in Gauteng. Back in 2021, a study found that Gauteng motorists lost three and a half days in traffic per year and that most motorists spent their commutes stuck in rush-hour traffic in 2019.

Those with good ideas about how to reduce emissions, traffic congestion, and more can also win big, with R20 million in prizes up for grabs.

There is a National Prize pool of R5 million (1st prize – R3 million, 2nd Prize – R2 million), as well as a R1 million provincial prize for each innovator across South Africa’s provinces. Semi-finalists will also receive specialised United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) support tailored to their solutions.

There is also R5 million in direct blended funding for real-world technology demonstrations and pilot programs with corporate co-partners supplemented by GCIP investment.

Winners will also receive:

• Project funding to advance their smart mobility solution,
• Incubation services with dedicated technical and business mentors,
• Access to investors and industry partners in the mobility and transport sector,
• Intellectual property specialist guidance,
• A pathway to pilot and deploy solutions on Gauteng’s roads.

“Gauteng’s transport challenges are immense, but so is the innovation potential in this province. NCIC 2026 is designed to find and accelerate the smart mobility solutions that can get Gauteng moving cleaner, faster, and more inclusively,” says Vusi Skosana , interim Head: GCIP SA , PMU.

Applications for this challenge are open until 21st April, click or tap here to submit your solution today.