Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
Esther Kimani has been named as the tenth winner of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.  

Hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering, this is the continent’s largest engineering prize. Kimani’s solar-powered tool uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning enabled cameras to swiftly detect and identify crop pests and diseases. She is the third woman and the second Kenyan innovator to win the Africa Prize, receiving £50 000. 

Protecting crops 

Five million smallholder farmers in Kenya lose on average 33% of their crops to pests and diseases. Kimani’s early crop pest and disease detection device reduces crop losses for smallholder farmers by up to 30%, while increasing yields by as much as 40%. 

Her innovation provides real-time alerts within five seconds of an infestation, offering tailored intervention suggestions, but also alerts government agricultural officers to the presence of diseases or pests, contributing to broader agricultural management efforts. 

This affordable alternative to traditional detection methods leases for just $3 per month, which is significantly cheaper than hiring drones or agricultural inspectors. 

Africa Prize alumni 

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Africa Prize, the Royal Academy of Engineering hosted the Africa Prize Alumni Reunion, bringing together 100 innovators from the past decade for a three-day programme ahead of the final ceremony. This momentous occasion showcased the strength of the community united by the prize. 

To learn more about becoming an Africa Prize partner, contact the Academy at development.team@raeng.org.uk. 

The Africa Prize supports the brightest minds in tackling the greatest global challenges, while improving economic prosperity and sustainable development for Africa through engineering.  

 

Full acknowledgement and thanks go to https://raeng.org.uk/ for the information in this article.  

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