Africa Prize Shortlist 2023
The innovations shortlisted in 2023 tackle challenges central to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, clean energy, good health and wellbeing, and quality education.
The complete list of selected technologies and candidates is as follows:
FlexiGyn
Edmund Wessels, South Africa
WINNER
A portable device enabling gynaecologists to diagnose and treat uterine health issues without anaesthetic.
YUNGA
Anatoli Kirigwajjo, Uganda
WINNER
A local digital network connected through a physical device utilising the Internet of Things to provide security at a low cost in under-resourced areas.
Electric Mobility
Chukwuemeka Eze, Nigeria
FINALIST
An e-mobility service that converts gas-powered three-wheel motorbikes to run on batteries, saving up to 60% on running costs.
WAGA Power Pack
Gibson Kawago, Tanzania
FINALIST
A power pack made with recycled laptop batteries to provide reliable and affordable power for electric bikes, power banks, solar lights, businesses and homes.
Affordable AMD Solution
Boitumelo Nkatlo, South Africa
A technology to treat acid mine drainage (AMD), using industrial waste to recycle contaminated water for human consumption.
Aquaset
Obed Zar, Ghana
A smart water management system that monitors water levels in boreholes and water tanks, regulating the pumped rate and preventing breakdowns and waste.
Arobot
Cristovão Cacombe, Angola
A robotics learning tool for children that must be assembled and programmed to perform specific tasks.
Digital Aquaponics
Flavien Kouatcha Simo, Cameroon
A portable fish farm that uses fish waste as a fertiliser to produce organic vegetables, enabling small-scale farmers to increase production.
MEDBOX
Emmanuel Ofori Devi, Ghana
A healthcare monitoring system that records a patient’s vital signs and transmits them to doctors who then provide remote medical advice.
Multi-Purpose Earth Brick Machine
Fikru Gebre Dikumbab, Ethiopia
A manually-operated portable machine to make interlocking compressed earth bricks using 90–95% soil and 5–10% cement.
ProbiGal
Dr Deon Neveling, South Africa
A host-specific multi-strain probiotic designed to promote gut health and prevent bacterial infections in chickens, reducing the need for antibiotics.
Smart Green Stove
Margaret Yainkain Mansaray, Sierra Leone
An efficient non-electric cooking device designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and health risks, slashing energy use by 70%.
Smart Water Tech
Allen Chafa, Zimbabwe
A real time water quality monitoring and control system to address water borne diseases.
ThinkBikes CoolMAX
Tolulope Olukokun, Nigeria
ONE TO WATCH WINNER
An electric cargo bike with a battery powered fridge to help Nigeria’s smallholder farmers get fresh food crops to market.
Waste-to-Wealth Enhancer
Cletus Ekpoh, Nigeria
A four-part recycling system to help informal waste collectors.