The tech growth in Africa has surged in recent years following more VC investors funding these “unicorn” startups across the continent. According to CNBC Africa, “Africa is a great investment frontier based on the fundamentals of a rapidly expanding population, a rising middle class, a young urban citizenry entering the workforce and increased digital penetration that provides access to new technologies.”

More notable examples of tech growth are recorded in West Africa, Nigeria, and some decent contributions from East, South and North African startups. With companies like Flutterwave, Andela, Paystack, Jumia (all Nigerian) attaining global recognition – more space will be held for the bigger innovations coming out of Africa.

Africa’s trend in the tech market goes far beyond innovation. That is an important component of course, but a deep-seated need to solve major problems within the continent comes first. This is evident for the industries that are currently running the African tech market – telecommunications, fintech, ecommerce. With the constant internet vulnerabilities that many African countries face, a company like the MTN Group (South Africa), is steadily attempting to fix the poor broadband infrastructure despite vast internet availability.

Impact

The list of innovators in this article, take a different route from the popular industries. However, they are of the same importance as the rest. These founders have found quality, working solutions to some problems within their respective home countries and in the continent. 

  • Solar Ear by Tendekayi Katsiga of Deaftronics – Botswana

The Deaftronics product – solar ear is a hearing aid, powered by solar or an alternative, household light. With 80% of deaf and hearing impaired people living in low and middle income countries, this rechargeable hearing aid will help cut costs and greatly improve the lives of many.

The Cardiopad is a heart reading device – which works like the electrocardiograph. It monitors patients heart readings and sends recorded data to nearby Cardiologists for analysis and diagnosis within 20 minutes. This project was invented to meet the rising cardiac-illness in Cameroon and Africa, and so far has been able to meet the demand locally.

Eco-solve is a company focused on minimizing waste production in Africa and the world. With its refined process, the company turns cassava into plastic bags that are easy to decompose. The return to earth mission of Eco-solve solves the gaps that occur with reduce, re-use and recycling.

  • MamaOpe Smart Jacket – Uganda 

The smart jacket designed by the MamaOpe team is a medical innovation that detects Pneumonia in children. With Pneumonia being one of the leading childcare diseases around the world, claiming about 16% of all deaths (WHO), the use of this Smart jacket helps in early detection and in save lives.

An eye examination kit designed by Peek Vision – uses mobile phones to screen eye patients. An additional use of its peek retina for retinal imaging, provides accessible eye care in rural areas and early care for those with eye issues.

Despite all these notable improvements happening across Africa, the continent still faces many other challenges – poor health, education, quality of life, poor infrastructure and other global issues like climate and insecurities.

Hopefully, this article urges young Africans out there to dream, create and affect change in the continent.

Connect with Spark