In a celebration of engineering ingenuity and sustainable solutions, the 10th Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation has unveiled its shortlist of 16 innovators hailing from eight African nations.
Launched in 2014 by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, the Africa Prize aims to recognize and support engineers who are driving transformative change on the continent.
For the first time, Botswana joins the prestigious list of participating countries, showcasing its commitment to fostering innovation. The shortlisted engineers, spanning from Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, to Uganda, represent a diverse array of groundbreaking solutions.
Among the standout innovations are fabrics crafted from fungi cultivated on human waste, advanced chicken farming technology, roof tiles constructed from recycled plastic, and an app-driven waste management service. These inventions address critical challenges such as climate-resilient food and water systems, low-carbon energy solutions, and improvements in telecommunications, education, financial services, and healthcare.
The Africa Prize, a beacon of support for engineering excellence, connects its innovators to a network of 133 alumni across 21 African nations. These alumni are actively working towards transforming the continent by implementing home-grown solutions.
The shortlisted innovations for the 2024 Africa Prize cover a spectrum of environmentally conscious solutions. Noteworthy entries include early detection devices for agricultural pests and diseases, environmentally friendly roofing materials, and a fabric made from fungi grown on human waste.
The list also features innovations promoting healthier cooking methods, clean energy solutions, and cutting-edge technologies such as an automated storage locker (Beba Begie), a domestic alert system for the deaf, and a plug-in device to transform screens into computers.
Engineering plays a pivotal role in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, impacting healthcare, education, gender equality, and the environment. It is also a driving force behind the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aimed at making Africa integrated, prosperous, and peaceful.
By being shortlisted for the Africa Prize, these innovators gain access to invaluable support, including business incubation, mentoring, fundraising, and communication. The impact of the prize is evident in the more than 4000 hours of support provided by judges, mentors, and expert reviewers, equivalent to over £10.4 million.
As the anticipation builds, four finalists will emerge from the shortlist to present their innovations at the Africa Prize final in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2024. The ultimate winner will be awarded £25,000, with three runners-up receiving £10,000 each. A One-to-Watch award of £5,000 will be presented for the most impactful pitch, as voted by the audience, which will include 80 Africa Prize alumni from the last decade.
Reflecting on the journey of the Africa Prize, judge Sewu-Steve Tawia emphasized the impact of these innovators on key Sustainable Development Goals. He commended their determination to address local challenges, create job opportunities, and scale their innovations across Africa.
With alumni having supported over 10 million beneficiaries, created more than 28,000 jobs, and raised over USD 39 million in grants and equity funding, the Africa Prize continues to be a driving force for positive change on the continent.
As the Africa Prize enters its tenth year, it proudly elevates local changemakers to global engineering innovators, showcasing Africa’s potential to lead in sustainable development through innovation.
