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BleagLee and Freshpack win Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing
Cameroon's BleagLee won the $1 million Grand Prize and Tanzania's Freshpack Technologies took $250,000 as runner-up in the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing.
By Propel Africa · 2026-05-06
BleagLee of Cameroon has won the $1 million Grand Prize in the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing, and Freshpack Technologies of Tanzania took the $250,000 Runner-Up award. The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation announced the winners on 6 May at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. These are prizes, not equity, and all awards are unrestricted.
The winners
BleagLee uses patented AI software to detect and collect waste in communities. It turns plastic, agricultural and e-waste into engineered recycled polymers, 3D printing filaments and bio-based carbon materials. It aims to mitigate 300 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2030. Freshpack Technologies uses AI-powered cold storage to address food waste in Africa. Digitech Oasis Limited of the UK received $100,000 for Most Advanced Use of 4IR.
About the prize
The prize drew more than 2,000 entrants from 100 countries, and 10 semifinalists were selected. Interim prizes were $30,000 for each of five finalists and $50,000 for each of 10 semifinalists, a total of $750,000 across the cycle. The programme has awarded more than $8 million to over 50 innovators since 2021. Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation, said: "Africa is producing world-class AI and technology innovation". The next prize, on the circular economy, offers $2 million in total, with applications closing on 13 August 2026.
At a glance
- Companies: BleagLee and Freshpack Technologies
- Awarded: $1 million (BleagLee) and $250,000 (Freshpack), as prizes
- Awards: Grand Prize and Runner-Up
- Organisers: Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation
- Based in: Cameroon and Tanzania
- Key figure: More than 2,000 entrants from 100 countries