In the latest development in Ethiopia’s space ambitions, the country is set to launch its first earth observatory satellite in September 2019. Addis Ababa will use the satellite to collect data on changes in the climate and weather-related phenomena.
China’s massive investment on the continent continues with the opening of Africa’s longest suspension bridge in Maputo, Mozambique. Among other improvements, the 3km-long bridge will reduce travel time between Maputo and KwaZulu-Natal from six hours to 90 minutes. But it comes at a cost to locals.
Telecommunications giant Safaricom, in partnership with Western Union, is rolling out Kenya’s revolutionary mobile money transfer, financing and microfinancing service M-Pesa in more than 500 000 Western Union agent locations across the world.
With no external source of funding and support, Anoziva Marindire has succeeded in teaching girls to code, opening up prospects in the job market and in their communities that they never had before.
Evariste Akoumian, a 37-year-old Ivorian, invented the “Solarpak”, a schoolbag with a solar panel and a lamp, to improve the education of young schoolchildren from rural, non-electrified areas. Using the lamp, children can now comfortably study after dark.
The world’s first bio-brick made using human urine was unveiled at the University of Cape Town, in South Africa recently. Researchers from UCT have been at the forefront of innovation in various areas including malaria prevention, HIV/AIDS, cardiology, and waste recycling.
Most women who opt for sex toys prefer vibrators above all the other options available to them for self-pleasure. Vibrators are used for clitoral stimulation yet – absurdly – they are designed to resemble phalluses.
We need action to increase the number of black scientists if we’re ever to see a black Nobel winner.
Numerous aspects of African traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions cannot be patented or copyrighted. This leaves them open to exploitation by foreign entities. It is important that the entrepreneurs of the future understand the shortcomings of patenting in developing countries.
A startup in Nigeria is set to revolutionise drug delivery in Africa with the use of drones to reach local clinics and hospitals that urgently need the medication. This innovative use of drones to deliver medical supplies is a first in Nigeria. Arone is an example of a technology made in Africa for Africans by Africans, writes Patrick Egwu.
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