Deadline Date: April 01, 2026
The NCIC Gauteng Smart Mobility Cleantech Challenge is inviting applications to develop digital cleantech solutions that address mobility challenges while supporting a smarter, greener and more inclusive transport system in Gauteng.
The challenge focuses on accelerating e-mobility adoption, improving the efficiency and accessibility of public transport, enabling seamless multimodal travel, deploying intelligent traffic management systems, and generating actionable data from the informal transport economy to support evidence-based planning and economic opportunities.
The initiative is part of South Africa’s Just Transition to the Future programme and is hosted by the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It aims to bring together innovators who can contribute solutions to address the mobility challenges affecting Gauteng, particularly in Johannesburg, the province’s economic hub.
Johannesburg faces significant transport challenges, including heavy congestion and increasing mobility costs for residents. On average, drivers lose 141 hours annually due to traffic congestion, while a large proportion of households spend more than 10 percent of their income on public transport. The challenge encourages the development of digital solutions that can contribute to a more efficient and sustainable mobility system.
Through this initiative, innovators are encouraged to deploy and scale solutions that can make a meaningful impact on the region’s economy and improve the daily lives of its residents. Solutions are expected to contribute to transforming Johannesburg’s transportation landscape while reducing carbon emissions and supporting the development of sustainable transport models that can be adopted by other cities across Africa.
The challenge seeks post-proof-of-concept digital cleantech solutions with direct application to smart mobility in Gauteng. These include scalable software platforms, data analytics models and mobile applications that are ready for pilot implementation and capable of delivering measurable environmental benefits.
Proposed solutions should also demonstrate an understanding of Johannesburg’s transport environment, including the role of the informal economy in mobility systems. The initiative prioritizes innovations that promote resilience, equity and sustainable impact in the movement of people and goods throughout the province.
The challenge is open to a wide range of innovators who meet specific criteria. Eligible applicants must present digital-only cleantech solutions that have reached the post-proof-of-concept stage and demonstrate readiness for scaling. Solutions must also be designed to fit within Gauteng’s mobility ecosystem.
Applications are welcomed from innovators across different backgrounds and geographic locations, provided they meet the core programme requirements. International applicants may participate by partnering with locally registered entities, with an emphasis on localization, skills transfer and job creation within the project proposal.
For more information, visit Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
