African innovators compete for prize
16 engineering projects shortlisted for R588k award
Sixteen innovators from eight African countries, including Botswana for the first time, have been shortlisted for the 10th Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
The Africa Prize, launched in 2014 by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, demonstrates how ambitious engineering innovators are protecting the environment and transforming the continent’s economy through scalable solutions.
Africa Prize innovators are working to address pan-African and international challenges, such as adapting food and water systems for climate resilience, developing low-carbon energy and transport solutions, and improving telecommunications, education, finance and healthcare.
Shortlisted innovations for the 2024 Africa Prize include roof tiles made from recycled plastic, early detection of agricultural pests and diseases, environmental monitoring of chicken farms, and a fabric made from fungi grown on human waste.
Also featured are innovations aimed at healthier methods of cooking, including low-smoke briquettes made from biowaste, a solar-induction oven and hob, and a biodigester that uses organic waste to generate gas.
Clean energy solutions include a large-scale power pack made from repurposed electric vehicle batteries, a solar dryer to enhance small fish farming, and converted electric motorbikes with replaceable batteries.
Other innovations include an automated storage locker, a domestic alert for deaf people, a plug-in device to transform any screen into a computer, and a healthcare platform based on WhatsApp.
Engineering is an enabler of development and is linked to all the UN sustainable and the AU’s African Agenda 2063.
By being shortlisted for the Africa Prize, innovators benefit from support including business incubation, mentoring, fundraising and communication.
They also gain access to the academy’s global network of engineering and business experts.
Judges, mentors, and expert reviewers have provided more than 4,000 hours of support to entrepreneurs since the prize was
established. “Winning the prize opened our business up to many opportunities and provided exposure for our solution to the local and international market,” said 2020 Africa Prize winner Charlette N’Guessan from Côte d’Ivoire, the first woman to win the prize.
Four finalists will be chosen from the shortlist to present their innovations and business plans to judges at the Africa Prize final in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2024. The winner will receive £25,000 (R588,300), with three runners up awarded £10,000 (R235,320) each. A One-to-Watch award of £5,000 (R117,660) will be made for the most impactful pitch, as voted by the audience.
In 2024, the audience will include 80 Africa Prize alumni.