Two Kenyans are among the four finalists vying for this year’s prestigious £50,000 (Ksh.8.3 million) Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Esther Kimani and Kevin Maina were selected from a pool of 16 innovators who have developed sustainable and scalable engineering solutions for the continent.
Kimani has engineered an advanced early detection device for crop pests and diseases. Her solar-powered invention employs artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-enabled cameras to quickly identify agricultural pests and diseases. The device delivers real-time alerts within five seconds of detecting an infestation, offers tailored intervention suggestions, and notifies government agricultural officers of the presence of pests or diseases. According to Kimani, the device, which is available for lease at under Ksh.400, can reduce crop losses for smallholder farmers by up to 30 percent while boosting yields by up to 40 percent.
Maina, on the other hand, has developed Eco Tiles, an eco-friendly roofing material crafted from recycled plastic. These tiles are not only stronger and lighter than traditional clay or concrete tiles but also contribute to reducing plastic pollution and lowering construction costs.
The Kenyan innovators will compete against Rory Assandey from Côte d’Ivoire, who has created an AI-powered chatbot that connects communities to essential health information, advice, and services, and Ugandan Martin Tumusiime, whose mobile app links homes and businesses to independent agents for efficient on-demand rubbish collection and disposal.
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