Two Nigerian entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2020. They are Aisha Raheem, Farmz2U and Victor Boyle-Komolafe, Garbage In Value Out (GIVO).
These Nigerian entrepreneurs will be joined by 14 other founders from across six countries on the continent. They are Kenya (5), Ghana (4), Uganda (3), Nigeria (2), Malawi (1) and South Africa (1).
A unique package of support will be provided to the shortlisted entrepreneurs over the next eight months to help them accelerate their businesses.
The benefits of selection for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation include comprehensive and tailored business training, bespoke mentoring, funding and access to the Academy’s network of high profile, experienced engineers and business experts in the UK and across Africa.
Following this period of support, four finalists are selected and invited to pitch their improved innovation and business plan to the judges and a live audience. A winner is selected to receive £25,000, and three runners up receive £10,000.
Meredith Ettridge, Head of Sustainable Development at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Nurturing thriving commercial companies has a significant role in enabling sustainable development, supporting entrepreneurs to deliver greater job creation, prospects and prosperity in their communities and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is these benefits, on a local, national and continent-wide level in Africa, that the Prize aims to accelerate.”
The prize’s judges and mentors are EngineeringUk and Energy Institute president Malcolm Brinded, Lonadek Consulting founder and principal consultant Ibilola Amao, AppsTech founder and CEO Rebecca Enonchong, #iamtheCODE and SpotOne Global Solutions founder and Africa Gathering co-founder Mariéme Jamme, and angel investor and tech startup mentor John Lazar.
The shortlisted technologies and candidates are:
Nigeria
1.) Farmz2U, Aisha Raheem from Nigeria – tech solutions that help farmers and families prevent food waste and enhance nutrition
2.) Garbage In Value Out (GIVO), Victor Boyle-Komolafe from Nigeria – automates and digitises the collection, processing and sale of recyclable materials
Kenya
3) Aquaprotein, Jack Oyugi from Kenya – an affordable protein supplement for animal feed, made from invasive water hyacinth
4.) Safi Organics, Samuel Rigu from Kenya – a novel chemical process that turns crop waste into a range of affordable fertilisers
5.) Solar Jiko, Justine Abuga from Kenya – a heat storage system that allows rural schools to cook food quickly and easily without firewood
6.) Tree_Sea.mals Mini-Grid, Tracy Kimathi from Kenya – a solar system that powers communal refrigeration storage spaces in rural Kenya
7.) CIST Ethanol Fuel, Richard Arwa from Kenya – a clean cooking ethanol made from invasive water hyacinth
Ghana
8.) BACE API, Charlette N’Guessan from Ghana – a system that uses live facial recognition technology to verify identities and prevent financial and online identity fraud
9.) EcoRide, Bernice Dapaah from Ghana – bamboo bicycles made by Ghanaian women and youth from sustainable materials and recycled parts
10.) GrainMate, Isaac Sesi from Ghana – a simple handheld meter to accurately measure the moisture content of grains to prevent rotting, insect infestation and quality reduction
11.) Lab and Library on Wheels, Josephine Godwyll from Ghana – a mobile, solar-hybrid cart with gadgets and e-learning resources to encourage reading and teach STEAM subjects in under-resourced schools
Uganda
12.) Eco Water Purifier, Timothy Kayondo from Uganda – a digital system that turns bones, cassava peelings, coconut shells and other waste into an activated carbon water filter
13.) PapsAI, Dr William Wasswa from Uganda – a low-cost digital microscope slide scanner and platform that diagnoses and manages cervical cancer in resource-constrained areas
14.) Remot, David Tusubira from Uganda – a digital platform that connects to off-grid solar systems to allow users to manage and pay for them remotely
Malawi
15.) CATHEL, Catherine Tasankha Chaima from Malawi – an affordable antibacterial soap made from agricultural waste and other plant-based extracts
South Africa
16. DryMac, Adrian Padt from South Africa – a containerised drying system that uses burning biomass instead of electricity to dry and preserve crops
Launched in 2014 by the Royal Academy of Engineering, the annual Africa Prize awards crucial commercialisation support to innovators who are transforming their local communities across Africa. The Prize supports innovators who are developing life-changing technologies that may otherwise have gone unrecognised and under-resourced.
