By African Innovation Foundation (AIF), during the sixth edition of the highly coveted Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) awarded three more African innovators for their incredible innovations. These three winners emerged out of over 2500 applications who entered for this edition of the prize.
The three winners successfully made the shortlists of 10 nominees who were afterwards selected to compete for the Prize. It has been announced that Aly El-Shafei of Egypt emerged as the Grand Prize winner, with Philippa Ngaju Makobore of Uganda landing the Second Prize, and Dougbeh-Chris Nyan of Liberia winning the Special Prize for Social Impact.
Furthermore, each one of the seven remaining nominees also went home with US$ 5 000 voucher to be used to further develop their innovations. According to the organizers, all nominees and winners will benefit from IPA post prize activities aiming at moving their innovations to the next level.
Dr. El-Shafei’s star winner innovation, Smart Electro-Mechanical Actuator Journal Integrated Bearing (SEMAJIB), is a world-class solution that supports energy generating turbines and can be used to improve efficiency and reduce costs of generating energy in Africa. In concern to health, Makobore’s invention, known as Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed Infusion Set (ECGF) and Dr. Nyan’s multiple disease rapid detection test, both offer ingenious solutions aimed at raising the quality of healthcare provision in Africa.
According to AIF Founder, Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, Founder, African Innovation Foundation: “This edition of IPA has been all about galvanizing support for African innovators in order to mobilize increased investments to help them commercialize and scale their innovations at a greater rate.” He added in his remarks that: “AIF has rewarded IPA 2017 for developing solutions that can truly add value to the lives of Africans, with a believe that these innovations have incredible commercial potential and will succeed in attracting the right investments to go to the next stage.”
Commenting on the competition, IPA 2017 Chairman of the Jury, Prof Nyasse Barthelemy said that the deliberation was tough as the quality of innovations were high.
“Each of the innovations, in their own respective ways, were winners as they represented local solutions to local challenges. It came down to the wire but we believe we have awarded the most compelling innovations this year. We look forward to seeing what comes next for the incredible innovations from IPA2017 innovators and wish them the very best.”
As announced: the patented innovation (SEMAJIB), by Dr. El-Shafei walked away with the Grand Prize of US$ 100 000. The design is a smart bearing that significantly improves turbine performance in single line combined cycle plants as well as conventional generator technology. It is patented in the US since 2010 with another patent pending. The device is designed to be used to support energy generating turbines more efficiently and cost effectively in Africa.
As reported: Dr. Dougbeh, who was awarded the Special Prize for Social Impact of US$25 000, developed a rapid test that can detect and simultaneously differentiate at least three to seven infections at the same time.
In the remarks of the President of Ghana, H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa, at the award ceremony, reiterated his government’s commitment to support innovation, adding that Platforms like IPA are vital for the development of science and technology in the country.
“As Ghana marks 60 years of independence, there is no opportune time than now to reiterate our nation’s commitment towards investing in innovation-led growth and prosperity.
“Our decision to partner with the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) to host the 2017 edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa is a result of our commitment to support African innovation not just at a national but at a Pan-African level.
“Platforms such as IPA are vital for building stronger synergies amongst key Science Technology and Innovation influencers and stakeholders in Ghana whilst expanding linkages with international partners to promote STI development capacity building, knowledge transfer and forge new partnerships with regional innovation leaders and expand our nation’s innovation footprint,” the President submitted.
Correspondent: Ridwan A. Olayiwola