A new generation of innovators from Africa were shortlisted in November for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Among technologies shortlisted was one aiming to revive the natural fibre market and help it compete with synthetic materials.
Others enable environmentally-friendly rock drilling for small scale mining, and the electrification of fleets of tuk-tuks in African cities via a network of off-grid charging stations.
Software innovations in the shortlist include apps to make public transport safer, cut ambulance response times during emergencies, give academics a network through which to share knowledge and connect students to their perfect tutor.
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“The shortlisted candidates represent eight (8) African countries:
- Achiri Arnold Nji from Cameroon with Safe Travel, a mobile app that helps prevent public transport accidents,
- Alex Makalliwa from Kenya with an electric Tuk-Tuk off-grid charging network,
- Aline Okello from Mozambique with a rainwater harvesting app to improve access to rain harvesting equipment,
- Andre Nel from South Africa with Green Tower, a solar energy micro-grid boiler,
- Brian Turyabagye from Uganda with Mamaope, a biomedical jacket that diagnoses pneumonia,
- Edwin Inganji from Kenya with the Usalama app, which boosts the effectiveness of community policing and speeds up emergency services’ reaction times,
- Fredrick Ouko from Kenya with Riziki Source, an online platform that connects people with disabilities to jobs,
- Godwin Benson from Nigeria with Tuteria, a peer-to-peer platform that connects students to tutors,
- Hindu Nabulumba from Uganda with the Yaaka Network, which connects students, academics and trainers on a single social network,
- James van der Walt from South Africa with the Solar Turtle, a self-contained, off-grid power utility,
- Joel King’ori Kariuki from Kenya with a sisal decorticator that speeds up natural fibre production to help it compete with synthetic fibres,
- Kevin Gacheru from Kenya with the Mkononi Tank Monitoring System to reduce water wastage,
- Lawrence Ojok from Tanzania with the Green Rock Drill, an environmentally friendly drill for small-scale mining,
- Peter Mbiria from Kenya with the E-Con Wheelchair, an all-terrain wheelchair that allows users to stand upright, climb stairs and self-navigate,
- Sesinam Dagadu from Ghana with CodeRed, a health management and disease surveillance app that improves emergency response times from ambulances and police,
- Wilfred Leslie Owen from South Africa with an automated solar cooker that tracks the sun and has built-in temperature and timing controls.”
Source: AWP Network
