The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) has announced the top 10 nominees who will be contending for the 2017 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA), to be awarded in Accra, Ghana on 18th July 2017. Innovators from nine African countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe have been shortlisted for the prestigious Prize.
This year’s innovators have demonstrated incredible proficiency through innovative solutions addressing challenges in agriculture value chain, health care, energy, communications, service industries as well as surveillance using drone technology.
This year’s cream of the crop underwent a rigorous selection process by a renowned panel of judges including corporate, academia, technology and scientific experts representing top African innovation influencers.
“We are pleased to share with you the names of our IPA2017 nominees as we continue on our mission to catalyse the innovation spirit and unlock untapped potential in Africa. For the first time, this year’s nominees include innovators from Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Zimbabwe. Moreover, given the instrumental role African women play in transforming Africa, it is thrilling to see more women among the 10 nominees with game changing innovations. By providing platforms to recognize innovation excellence in Africa and mobilizing for African innovators, we continue to live up to our credo of engaging, inspiring and transforming. The inspiring stories of these nominees remind us that innovation and African-led solutions are indeed the answer to Africa’s growth and prosperity.” said Walter Fust, AIF Chairman of the Board.
Now celebrating its sixth year under the theme “African Innovation: Investing in Prosperity”, IPA is the premier innovation initiative in the African continent, offering a grand share-prize of US$185 000 and incentives to spur growth and prosperity in Africa through home-grown solutions.
IPA has seen tremendous growth in applications and increasing interest from both innovators and innovation enablers over the years. To date, IPA has attracted more than 7500 innovators from 52 African countries, making it a truly Pan African initiative. IPA 2017 edition witnessed a record number of entries from over2530innovatorsacross 48 African countries. The Foundation has supported past winners and nominees with approximately US$ 1 million to move their innovations forward. Due to exposure generated by IPA, past winners have gone on to secure over US$30million in investments to grow and scale their businesses
“Over the years, IPA has stimulated impactful and market-oriented innovations aiming at changing lives and transforming Africa. In this sixth edition, we want to promote more investment in home-grown innovations as well as intra-African collaboration and trade to allow the scaling up of viable innovations across borders. We’re excited for the opportunity to work with our partners to ensure the innovations of the 10 nominees will be available to African markets and beyond. We invite you to join us and unlock the potential of African innovators, starting by investing in these 10 nominees.” said Pauline Mujawamariya Koelbl, IPA Director.
AIF will host the IPA 2017awards ceremony and its second Innovation Ecosystems Connector on 17 and 18 July in Accra, Ghana. Here are the nominees:
Innovations in communications and smart solutions
1. Peris Bosire, Kenya: FarmDrive
FarmDrive is a financial technology company that has developed a mobile phone based application that collects data and provides an alternative risk assessment model for small holder farmers. While the continent remains largely dependent on agriculture, one of the biggest challenges facing smallholder farmers is access to credit or finance. Most financial institutions are reluctant to grant credit to farmers because their risk assessment models flag small farmers as being very risky. FarmDrive has developed a new methodology for assessing credit worthiness of farmers that has led to higher acceptance rate of loan applications by farmers while maintaining a very low default rate. This could have the effect of significantly boosting agricultural production on the continent while helping financial institutions cost effectively increase their agricultural loan portfolios.
2. Nokwethu Khojane, South Africa: Lakheni, Turning Social Capital into Buying Power
Lakheni is a social and business model innovation which seeks to aggregate low-income households into buying-groups in order to negotiate favourable discounts for goods and services supplied to these households. Most poor people end up paying for goods and services at a unit price that is usually much higher than the unit price paid by other people with more disposable income. This is because as goods and services are packaged into smaller and smaller units to make them affordable, they become less economically efficient and end up costing higher than if one was to buy in bulk or in larger units. In essence, thepoor end up paying a poverty premium. Lakheni solves this problem by aggregating poor households into a buyer’s market by leveraging mobile technology.
3. Omolabake Adenle, Nigeria: Voice Recognition and Speech Synthesis Software for African Languages
This is a software solution that can understand and digitize spoken African languages, and synthesize speech from African languages presented as digitized text. Digitizing African languages in this way allows Africans to interact with hardware devices such as mobile phones, and digital services such as call-center applications by speaking their local language. The software can be integrated into a wide range of devices and third-party software applications. While voice recognition and speech synthesis software have been developed for various Western and Asian languages, there has been very limited commercial application or academic research for African languages. The difficulty lies in modelling tonality present in most African languages and limited data resources for language modelling. This innovation opens up opportunities for Africans with low literacy levels to also enjoy the benefits of the digital revolution.
4. Nzola Swasisa, Democratic Republic of Congo: Lokole
Lokole, is a device that enables access to efficient email communication anywhere with cellular coverage at a price that is one hundred to one thousand times cheaper than accessing email via regular cellular bandwidth costs. Lokole achieves this firstly by creating a shareable local area network where up to a hundred users within a 25 meters’ radius can access the network and share the costs. Secondly, it contains advanced algorithms that compress email and also schedules uploads and downloads of data to when data bundles costs are at their cheapest. Costs per user could be as little as $0.01/person/day. More than 71% of the African population doesn’t have access to efficient communications. Lokole solves this communication problem and enables many communities to access efficient communication for the first time. Applications of Lokole include: health (remote-doctor), education (remote-teacher), commerce (purchase orders via email), business (attachment documents) and many more.
Leveraging artificial intelligence and mechanical solutions
5. Badr Idriss, Morocco: Atlan Space
Atlan Space develops software technology that is then deployed to manage the operations of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. The software is currently tested for use in managing operations in detecting illegal or harmful maritime activity such as illegal fishing or oil spills over wide expanse areas. UAVs operated by this software can be launched and deployed into monitoring operations without having an aircraft operator. Also, by using Artificial Intelligence they are able to collect data, analyze and produce actionable reports. African governments face numerous challenges in monitoring activities and operation over wide areas. This includes border patrols, deforestation, animal poaching and maritime activity. The software allows for the deployment of UAVs at a very cost effective price without need for highly skilled human intervention and over a wide number of uses.
6. Aly El-Shafei, Egypt: Smart Electro-Mechanical Actuator Journal Integrated Bearing “SEMAJIB”
The patented innovation (SEMAJIB) presented by Dr. El-Shafei, is a smart bearing which is versatile and can change its characteristics as it operates. It consists of a magnetic bearing imbedded in an oil-filled journal bearing, thus forming the smart controllable bearing. The flooding of the bearing with oil is a game changer as the purpose of bearings has traditionally been to expel oil. There is a significant improvement in turbine performance using the SEMAJIB particularly in single line combined cycle plants, as well as conventional generator technology. The device is designed to be used to support energy generating turbines and can be used to improve efficiency and reduce costs of generating energy in Africa.
Discoveries in healthcare solutions
7. Dougbeh-Chris Nyan, Liberia: New Technology for Rapid Detection of Many Infections Using Only One Test
This is a rapid diagnostic test that can detect and simultaneously differentiate at least three to seven infections at the same time within 10 to 40 minutes. In most African countries, there is a lack of sophisticated diagnostic devices and limited expertise in high-tech diagnostics. This hinders the clinical decision-making ability of healthcare providers. This test provides a solution to this clinical problem. The innovation is easy to use in any setting and particularly in rural areas. Additionally, the device is able to detect and distinguish multiple infections which bear the same symptoms for instance, when a patient has yellow fever, malaria, and Ebola. Whereas most testing methods take 3 – 7 days, this device gives test results in 10 – 40 minutes. This would provide a significant step in the detection and management of infectious diseases on the continent.
8. Olanisun Olufemi Adewole, Nigeria: Sweat TB Test, A non-invasive rapid skin test to detect Tuberculosis
Sweat TB Test, is a non-invasive rapid diagnostic test to detect tuberculosis (TB). TB is second only to HIV/AIDS as a leading cause of death in Africa. Available methods are high tech; cannot be deployed in rural centres, dependent only sputum which sometimes may not be collectible and considered messy by patients. It is also time consuming with patients making repeated clinic visits before a diagnosis is made. Delay in diagnosis and missed diagnosis of 3million TB cases occur leading to continuous spread of the disease. Sweat TB Test leverages on TB specific marker in sweat of patients, to produce a point- of- care test to detect TB, within ten minutes, without any needle prick. In simple steps, reports are read and patients commenced on medication as needed at the same clinic visit. It has the potential to contribute towards effectively controlling TB, reduce TB related deaths and holds promise to prevent drug resistance TB in Africa.
9. Gift Gana, Zimbabwe: Dr. CADx
Dr CADx is a software solution that helps doctors and health care workers diagnose medical images more accurately. Due to the scarcity of radiologists on the continent, most medical images are read by general doctors or other health care workers who lack expertise and end up misdiagnosing more than 30% of the cases that they review. As a result, millions of patients fail to get the right treatment or the treatment is delayed leading to more complications and even death. Dr CADx uses deep learning to interpret medical images and achieve an accuracy of 82% an improvement over the 70% average for radiologists. Dr CADx is designed to work in low resource settings with poor internet connectivity opening it up for use in many rural settings in Africa.
10. Philippa Ngaju Makobore, Uganda: Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed Infusion Set (ECGF)
The Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed Infusion Set (ECGF) is medical device designed to accurately administer intravenous (IV) fluids and drugs by controlling the rate of fluid flow based on feedback from a drop sensor. Over 10% of children admitted to East African hospitals need immediate infusion therapy. Findings from the FEAST trial indicates that over-infusion in children increased the absolute risk of death by 3.3 % at 48 hours. Erroneous delivery rates can result into serious adverse effects. The ECGF solves this problem as it is very easy to operate and has key safety features which include alarms for rate of infusion (rapid or slow), total volume (over or under) and faulty sensors. A battery utilizing a hybrid (AC mains and solar) charging bed powers the device. The ECGF has the potential to save lives by providing accuracy and safety at 8% the cost of a brand-new infusion pump.
]]>People & Lifestyle
10 Days in Ghana and more experiences to enjoy in Africa with Gold Coast XP’s Tours and Activities
People & Lifestyle
‘Millennium Girls’ of Wesley Girls’ High School donate GHS 10,000 to the victims affected by the Akosombo dam spillage.

The Wesley Girls’ High School 2002 Old Girls Association, known as the ‘Millennium Girls,’ recently showcased their commitment to social responsibility by donating GHS 10,000 to Citi FM’s resettlement project for the victims affected by the Akosombo dam spillage. Representatives Nana Finba Austin and Edith Dede Acquaye presented the generous contribution at the premises of Citi FM, emphasizing the association’s dedication to the welfare of the community and reinforcing the enduring values of unity, compassion, and service instilled during their years at Wesley Girls’ High School.
The ‘Millennium Girls’ continue to set an inspiring example for alumni associations, embodying the spirit of giving and making a positive impact beyond their Alma Mater.
The ‘Millenium Girls’ are set to host the 187th Anniversary and Speech and Prize Giving Day of their Alma Mater, Wesley Girls’ High School in February 2024.
People & Lifestyle
DJ Justice GH kicks off The Justice Experience Tour on December 3

Get your dance shoes on! DJ Justice GH will bring the heat to clubbers nationwide this festive month with the Justice Experience Pub and Lounge Tour–a revamp of his annual end-of-year concert, coming to a location near you. The tour will begin at Monte Carlo Pub in Tema–his home city, this Sunday (December 3). Be there!
“I feel the night scene has become pretty boring and I want to change that,” DJ Justice GH said. “It shouldn’t always be artists, so I’d be teaming up with DJs and MCs this year. They have more to offer than you think and nightlifers can expect one of the best nights they’ll ever have this year.”
DJ Perbi, DJ Toyor, DJ Xpliph, DJ Ronky, DJ Mpesempese, DJ Lord, DJ Wobeti, DJ Mynor, Sheldon The Turn Up, DJ Shiwaawa, DJ Mac Tonto, DJ Cartoon and countless more are on the list of supporting acts to storm Accra, Koforidua, Aflao, Kumasi, Tamale, Swedru and Takoradi alongside DJ Justice GH.
If you don’t want to miss this feature-packed experience, follow DJ Justice GH (@djjusticegh) on Instagram to know when he’s hitting your city.
People & Lifestyle
Grammy Nominee Tyla Tells Apple Music About New Single “Truth or Dare”, Collaborating with Travis Scott & Summer Walker & How ‘Water’ Changed Her Life

Superstar in the making Tyla joins Zane Lowe on New Music Daily to discuss her new single, “Truth or Dare” available now. They discuss the making of the new single, reflect on her smash-hit “Water” changing her life, recent collaborations with Summer Walker and Travis Scott, and more.
Tyla on having fun making her new single…
It was so fun to make. I just feel like I’ve worked on my sound so much these past years working on the album, so making this type of music is easy for me. I love it. I love it. Whenever I make something that I’m excited about, I want to drop it same time. But there’s a lot of times where I learned that being patient is important because I notice that once I wait and I spend more time on certain things, I always come up with something better.
On ‘Water’ changing her life…
Water literally changed my whole life completely. It’s so crazy how a song can change your life like this. It’s beautiful. It’s so exciting. I’m so happy that people are loving the sound, coming from home. So yeah, I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
On what she’s learned from collaborating with people like Travis Scott and Summer Walker…
It feels so surreal working with people that I’ve always loved and listened to. Yeah, I love it. I love that I’m able to also share my sound with other artists, bigger artists, and share their audience and their audience, experience sounds from home. Collaborating is my favourite. I love working with new people. When I was working on my album, I was travelling literally the world and working with everybody. So yeah, it’s cool that I get to now work with the big names that I’ve always been watching my whole life.
On making her forthcoming album self-titled…
For now, my introduction to the world, I just wanted to be clean, Tyla. I want people to get to know my name and get to know my sound because my first project is going to be Tyla in music form. So, I felt like self-titled would’ve been the best way to go.
On her recent success…
I think I’m trying to acknowledge it. It doesn’t feel real as yet, to be very honest. A lot of the times, I’ll just be doing what I usually do, and then my team has to remind me, “You can’t do that anymore.” So, I’m kind of adjusting to it. But yeah, I’m just excited that more people are hearing my music and enjoying the stuff that I’m putting out. And yeah, I’ll still have to get used to this whole change, but we’ll see. We’ll see.
On the idea of “home” and how it feels now that her music is representing her community and where she’s come from…
I haven’t been home in long since Water started blowing up. So, this is my first time home, and everyone’s just so welcoming and so excited and happy. So, it’s such a good time to be here. It’s summer for us here, so you can imagine how the vibes are here. South Africa is the place to be. Summertime, crazy.
On what she missed the most being on the road and away from home…
Obviously my family. I have a big family. I’m very close with them., So being away for so long is so difficult. So, definitely family and the food. Definitely my mother’s food. My mother knows as soon as I land, she knows the routine. She has to have a whole meal ready for me. And every single time, it’s there. I have Pap. It’s there. South African food is what I crave all the time, literally.
On her favourite artists from South Africa…
I always listen to Kelvin Momo. He’s a piano producer. Crazy. Crazy. Everyone should listen to him. I’m always listening to him. I’m listening to Nasty C, Kabza De Small. There’s so many amazing artists out here in South Africa.
People & Lifestyle
Can You Snort Kratom?

If you are using kratom, this thought might have crossed your mind: ‘Can I snort Kratom?’. But, the answer to this question is a big ‘NO.’ Kratom forms clumps when it is exposed to moisture. So, it is not favorable to snort kratom.
Snorting or Insufflation of kratom can damage the mucous membrane and irritate your throat. People can experience negative effects, including overdose. But there are ways in which you can consume different strains of kratom without any problem.
In this article, we will talk about the side effects of kratom snorting and what are the best ways to consume kratom. We will also discuss the dangers related to snorting kratom. So let’s get started.
Why Would Someone Snort Kratom?
Usually, the Southeastern people used kratom by chewing the leaves of the plant. But as kratom’s popularity increased, it was manufactured as capsules, powder, and liquid shots for consumption. People usually take kratom orally, but there are various reasons people snort kratom:
Get High Quickly
Many people believe that if they snort kratom, it will be directly absorbed into the bloodstream, which will make them get high quickly. Some users who use kratom for recreational purposes consume kratom like this.
Lack Of Knowledge
People who lack knowledge regarding kratom and its proper use snort kratom. Kratom forms clumps when it comes in contact with moisture, so it can further cause health issues.
Can You Smoke Kratom?
Other than taking kratom in capsules and powdered form, it is also smoked by many people. However, a significant amount of leaves is required to achieve the desired effects. It can be harsh on the throat and lungs, but you can get high quickly. Make sure you purchase kratom from reputable brands to get only the purest kratom. You can check this post to learn more about the best brands to buy kratom.
As compared to other herbal supplements, kratom smoke can be strong. It also produces a sustained euphoric effect, but you need a higher amount of supplement to achieve that euphoric state.
Here are some points to know before smoking Kratom:
- New kratom users or those who are sensitive to kratom must not consume more than one gram of the substance.
- At lower doses, you will feel mild stimulation, and your mood will be uplifted.
- If you smoke a significant amount of kratom, like 5 grams, then you will have noteworthy effects.
What is the Best Way to Use Kratom?
Other than snorting kratom, there are many ways in which you can consume kratom and get its various benefits. Manufacturers sold different types of kratom strains in the form of powder, capsules, extracts, etc. You can use kratom in the following ways:
- Kratom Capsules: If you don’t like the taste of kratom, you can go with kratom capsules. This method eliminates the bitter aftertaste and also offers a convenient way to take your daily dose.
- Kratom Tea: Brewing kratom tea is a timeless tradition. To create the best kratom tea, boil water on a low flame for 10-12 minutes and add kratom leaves or kratom powder to the water. Strain the liquid, and your kratom tea, with its amazing benefits, is ready.
- Kratom Powder: People also use kratom powder along with normal water. To make it more fun, you can blend kratom powder with chocolate milk. If you are lactose intolerant, you can opt for a milk alternative. You can also make kratom cookies to get the best of both worlds. You just have to pour kratom powder when you are making the dough for the cookies, and it’s done. People make kratom cookies to get the benefit of kratom and the sweetness of cookies.
- Kratom Extracts: These extracts are a more concentrated form of kratom. It can be created from kratom leaves of kratom powder. Its dosage is far more potent than the kratom powder.
Dangers of Snorting Kratom
Snorting kratom can be very dangerous for you and against your best interests. There can be short-term and long-term side effects of snorting kratom:
- Short-Term Side Effects: Nose Bleeding, nasal swelling, trouble breathing, nose and throat irritation, buildup of mucous membrane, nasal blockage.
- Long-Term Side Effects: Lung Infection, Damage to the respiratory system, Damage to throat and nose, Damaged mucous membrane, Blood clots in lungs, pulmonary embolisms, nasal inflammation, and perforation of nasal passages.
Along with these, snorting kratom can also cause various mental and physical problems:
Hallucinations, anxiety, aggressive behavior, tremors, seizures, vomiting.
Snorting kratom can be dangerous, so make sure you consume kratom in the form of tea or powder, etc. You must also know about the different strains of kratom and their benefits; in that way, you can select the best kratom strains for you.
Final Thoughts: Can You Snort Kratom?
This leads to the end of this article; we talked about how snorting kratom can create problems for you. Snorting kratom is not a good idea; the powder will form clumps in your throat and lungs and can cause serious long-term side effects.
There are many ways to consume kratom; you can take it as a capsule or make kratom tea. It is also available as extracts, which are the most concentrated form of kratom. You can make kratom consumption fun by adding the powder to your chocolate milk or making cookies.
Kratom has many benefits, but only if you take it the right way. Snorting kratom can harm you in many ways. Its short-term side effects include nose bleeding, swelling, nose and throat irritation, and nasal blockage. It also has long-term side effects like mucous membranes, nose, and throat damage. It also leads to lung infection, blood clots in the lungs, and pulmonary embolisms.
So, we recommend using kratom safely by consuming it the proper way. Snorting kratom will not get you high but can damage your respiratory tract and lungs. So be careful and safe.
People & Lifestyle
Exploring the Latest Technological Advances in Fishing Reel Design

Fishing, once a simple pursuit with rudimentary tools, has undergone a transformative journey with technological advancements. Piscifun, a prominent brand in the fishing gear industry, stands at the forefront of this evolution. Let’s delve into the latest technological innovations that Piscifun incorporates into their fishing reel designs, enhancing the angling experience for enthusiasts of all levels.
Precision Engineering: Micro Gearing for Smoother Operation
One of the standout technological features in Piscifun fishing reels is the implementation of micro gearing. This precision engineering involves the use of finely machined gear components, resulting in smoother operation and increased performance. Anglers experience reduced friction, allowing for seamless casts and retrieves, making each fishing excursion a more enjoyable and efficient endeavor.
Carbon Fiber Drag Systems: Power and Sensitivity in Harmony
Piscifun recognizes the crucial role that drag systems play in fishing reel performance. The brand integrates advanced carbon fiber drag systems into their reels, combining power and sensitivity. This innovation ensures that anglers can smoothly adjust the drag to handle various fish sizes while maintaining a level of sensitivity that allows for precise control during the fight.
Corrosion Resistance: Shielding Reels Against the Elements
Fishing often involves exposure to harsh elements, and Piscifun addresses this challenge with cutting-edge corrosion-resistant technologies. The brand incorporates materials and coatings that protect the reel from saltwater corrosion, ensuring longevity and reliability even in the most demanding environments. Anglers can trust their Piscifun reels to withstand the test of time and the corrosive effects of saltwater.
Lightweight Design: Graphite and Aluminum Alloys for Maneuverability
In the pursuit of the perfect fishing reel, weight plays a crucial role in determining maneuverability and comfort. Piscifun leverages the latest materials, such as graphite and aluminum alloys, to create lightweight yet durable reels. This technological advance allows anglers to enjoy extended fishing sessions without experiencing fatigue, ultimately enhancing the overall fishing experience.
Sealed Bearings: Enhancing Durability in Challenging Environments
Piscifun understands the importance of bearings in reel performance, and their incorporation of sealed bearings is a testament to this commitment. Sealed bearings provide an additional layer of protection against water, dirt, and debris, significantly enhancing the durability and lifespan of the reel. Anglers can confidently take their Piscifun reels into diverse environments, knowing that the sealed bearings contribute to reliable and smooth operation.
Dual Brake Systems: Fine-Tuning Control for Precision Casting
Achieving precise casting is a fundamental aspect of successful angling, and Piscifun addresses this with the implementation of dual brake systems. This technological innovation allows anglers to fine-tune their casting control, adapting to different fishing conditions and lure weights. The result is increased accuracy and casting distance, providing anglers with a distinct advantage on the water.
Advanced Gear Ratios: Speed and Power Tailored to Fishing Styles
Piscifun fishing reels come equipped with advanced gear ratios that cater to diverse fishing styles. Whether anglers prefer high-speed retrieves or require the power for deep-sea fishing, Piscifun’s innovative gear ratios provide versatility. This technological advancement allows anglers to adapt their reel’s performance to specific fishing scenarios, ensuring optimal efficiency and success.