Each of these innovators has been through the Africa Prize, receiving tailored business training to support the development and commercialisation of their engineering solutions. Applications for the 2024 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation are now open, and African entrepreneurs from all engineering disciplines who are providing scalable solutions to local challenges are invited to apply.
Tell us about your innovation, and how it is advancting sustainability and protecting the environment?
Victor Boyle-Komolafe, GIVO
Garbage In, Value Out (GIVO) is a sustainability-driven company committed to advancing environmental protection.
Our flagship product, the GIVO Technology Platform (GTP), is an advanced operating system designed specifically for recyclers. By using cutting-edge technology, the GTP enables effective tracking of material flow, emission reduction, and compliance metrics. It provides transparency, verification, and financial support for the waste management value chain, promoting circularity and reducing environmental impact.
Additionally, we have established GIVO Centres, which are community-based, tech-enabled facilities. These centres serve as zero-emission hubs that aggregate, process, and transform locally sourced recyclables into high-quality recyclates. By operating within a 2-5 km radius, each centre creates employment opportunities for up to 15 locals and has the capacity to process 90 metric tons of waste annually. This not only helps reduce CO2 emissions by over 2000 metric tons but also contributes to the sustainable economic development of the communities we serve.
Through our comprehensive approach, GIVO is actively contributing to the protection of the environment, the reduction of waste, and the promotion of sustainable practices. We are dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others to embrace sustainability for a greener and more resilient future.
Marie Ndieguene, I3S
I3S is an ecologically friendly and affordable storage space solution designed to solve post-harvest loss in agriculture. It also addresses waste management and the environmental impacts of the construction sector, one of the most polluting sectors in the world. I3S is unique because it is made with completely recycled materials, making it both ecological and affordable.
Large food losses increase food insecurity and cause a waste of seeds, fertiliser, irrigation water and human labour. The big problem is: what is the use of producing a lot if we cannot store the production?
Most farmers rely on traditional storage methods of placing crops on the ground, due to lack of adequate storage, which can be expensive. The I3S storage space brings this essential technology to farmers at a lower cost. The storage unit is constructed from recycled tyres, plastics, and natural materials. Since 2018, we have recycled 15690 types, 23480 bottles, and 12450 plastic bags to build our storage space. We have impacted 389 farmers, saved 100 tons of crops, and created 60 direct jobs, trained 30 builders to use this alternative construction method.
Mariam Eluma, Hobeei
HoBeei is a Nigerian start-up that offers a solution which helps people to save money and obtain items they need while facilitating a circular economy. We do this by offering a platform where people can share pre-owned items and earn our virtual tokens, which can be used to obtain other items in return, including discounts and giveaways from businesses.
Our solution addresses the widening inequality gap in Nigeria by reducing how we waste and wrongfully discard items we no longer use, and instead encourages responsible consumption and sharing. So far, over 4,000 items have benefitted 2,800 people, with the majority being women and youth, especially mothers and students.
One major way HoBeei is advancing sustainability is by involving influential people in the conversation about sustainable living. We do this through our Youtube series Offloading with HoBeei where episodes featuring celebrities, politicians and influencers show how they practice a sustainable lifestyle as they declutter their space. The items they declutter are uploaded on our platform for fans and followers to obtain. Since we launched the series in February 2023, over 1,500 pre-owned items have been shared via Hobeei.
Emeka Obewe, Kitovu
Kitovu is an online platform which helps rural and remote smallholder farmers triple their crop yields and sell their produce. Kitovu's agricultural revolution is transforming the lives of smallholder farmers, like Haowa, who once grappled with low yields, post-harvest losses, and limited market access.
Through Kitovu's YieldMax platform, Haowa gained personalized agronomic advice, unlocking the secrets to optimal fertilisation, crop health audits, and increased yields. Our StorageX product provided Haowa with effective storage solutions, granting her access to post-harvest financing and freeing her from the pressure to sell prematurely. And when she does decide to sell, our eProcure platform aggregates her produce alongside those of other farmers, ensuring she has access to higher value markets.
Haowa's success echoes throughout Africa, as 16,500 farmers have witnessed their crop yields soar by 30%, post-harvest losses drop by 20%, and incomes surge by 40%. Kitovu's impact reaches beyond economic growth. By embracing regenerative practices provided by YieldMax, farmers have prevented over 180,000 tons in greenhouse gas emissions while building climate resilience.
We invite everyone to join Kitovu’s mission to scale climate-smart farming and post-harvest infrastructure across Africa, cultivating a future where African smallholder farmers thrive, and shared prosperity blooms.
Watch our 2023 Africa Prize shortlist pitch their innovations at the Africa Prize final in Accra, Ghana on Thursday 6 July. Register to join us in person or online and help us crown the winner.