NAIROBI, Kenya- Two bright innovators are flying the Kenyan flag high in the international engineering scene.
Esther Kimani and Kevin Maina, stand among the top four finalists for the coveted Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
The prestigious award, organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering, will announce its winner on June 13 at a Nairobi hotel.
The grand prize is a whopping Sh8.5 million, with the other three finalists each taking home Ksh2.5 million. Additionally, a special ‘One to Watch’ prize of Sh846,926 will be awarded.
Revolutionizing Agriculture and Construction
Kimani is turning heads with her early detection device for crop pests and diseases.
Her solar-powered gadget employs artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-enabled cameras to swiftly identify threats in real time.
Farmers receive alerts within five seconds of detection, along with tailored intervention suggestions, making this tool a lifesaver for smallholder farmers.
Leasing for just Sh450 per month, it’s a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods like hiring drones or inspectors.
This innovation can cut crop losses by up to 30pc and boost yields by as much as 40pc.
Maina’s innovation, Eco Tiles, is making waves in the construction industry. These eco-friendly roofing tiles are crafted from recycled plastic, making them both stronger and lighter than traditional clay or concrete tiles.
Maina’s team collaborates with 500 informal waste collectors to source plastics, which are then processed using a custom-made extrusion machine.
This energy-efficient process eliminates the need for kiln burning, significantly reducing carbon emissions. With half a million Eco Tiles already produced and used in constructing 348 houses, Maina is addressing plastic pollution and high building costs in one fell swoop.
Competing Innovations from Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda
Joining Kimani and Maina in the finals are Rory Assandey from Côte d’Ivoire and Martin Tumusiime from Uganda.
Assandey’s AI-powered chatbot connects communities to essential health information and services, while Tumusiime’s mobile app links homes and businesses to independent agents for efficient on-demand rubbish collection and disposal.
A Decade of Impactful Innovations
Since its inception in 2014, the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation has supported nearly 150 entrepreneurs from 23 African countries.
These innovators have generated over 28,000 jobs and benefited more than 10 million people.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, this year’s competition highlights groundbreaking solutions tackling some of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
The final event, promising to be a showcase of Africa’s top engineering talents, is open for registration.
This is a golden opportunity to witness firsthand the transformative power of innovative engineering solutions from across the continent.
