Zimbabwean Nominated For 2023 Africa Prize For Engineering Innovation
Zimbabwean engineer, Allen Chafa has been nominated for the 2023 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (APEI).
He is credited with creating Smart Water Tech, a real-time water quality monitoring and control system designed to address poor water quality which results in the spread of waterborne diseases.
Chafa is among 15 African innovators shortlisted.
The 15 innovations shortlisted tackle challenges central to the United Nations (UN)’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including quality education, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, good health and well-being, and clean energy.
In a statement, the United Kingdom (UK)’s Royal Academy of Engineering said:
This year 10 African countries are represented, Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Now in its 9th year, the APEI is Africa’s biggest prize dedicated to developing African innovators and helping them to maximise their impact. The winner will receive £25,000, and three runners up will win £10,000 each. An additional One-to-Watch award of £5,000 will be given to the most promising innovator.
Innovators shortlisted for the Africa Prize will benefit from a unique package of support including business incubation, mentoring, fundraising and communications. The package also includes access to the Academy’s global network of high-profile and highly experienced engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa.
The Royal Academy of Engineering said this year’s innovations include:
i). a treatment to convert acid mine drainage into drinking water,
ii). a portable aquaponics unit that uses fish waste to boost the production of vegetables,
iii). a robotics learning tool for children,
iv). a remote healthcare monitoring system, and
v). an eco-friendly cooking stove that absorbs black carbon.
The Africa Prize which was launched in 2014 is awarded annually by the Royal Academy of Engineering to ambitious African innovators creating local and scalable solutions to pan-African and international challenges.
The Royal Academy of Engineering said in mid-2023 four finalists will be chosen to pitch their innovations and business plans to Africa Prize judges at an event in Accra, Ghana.
This year’s shortlisted innovators join the Academy’s 134 Africa Prize alumni network.
Chafa graduated from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering in 2021. He graduated with a 1st class.