Technology

Esther Kimani is the third woman and second Kenyan to win the Africa Prize. (Image source: Royal Academy of Engineering)

Esther Kimani has been named winner of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for her early crop pest and disease detection device

The winning AI tool was selected by judges due to its ability to swiftly detect and identify agricultural pests and diseases. This innovation offers the chance for smallholder farmers to reduce crop losses by up to 30% while increasing yields by up to 40% – a particularly pertinent issue in Kenya where five million smallholder farmers lost 33% of their crops on average to pests and diseases.

Kimani’s solar-powered tool uses computer vision algorithms and advanced machine learning to detect and identify crop pests, pathogens or diseases, as well as the nature of the infection or infestation. The device then notifies the farmer via SMS. This affordable alternative to traditional detection methods leases for just US$3 per month.

“My parents would lose up to 40% of their crops each farming season, which affected our standard of living,” commented Kimani. “We are empowering smallholder farmers, many of whom are women, to increase their income. We aim to scale to one million farmers in the next five years.”

For her efforts and to help further develop the device, Kimani received KSh8.3mn to further develop the device – the largest amount awarded to a winner yet.

In claiming the prize, Kimani edged ahead of three other finalists who have subsequently each been awarded KSh2.5mn. These included:

• Kevin Maina, Eco Tiles: An environmentally-friendly roofing material made from recycled plastic. Stronger and lighter than clay or concrete tiles, the innovation is a dual solution to plastic pollution and high building costs.
• Rory Assandey, La Ruche Health: An AI chatbot tool available on WhatsApp and mobile apps named ‘Kiko’ to connect communities to vital health information, advice and services with a digital backend solution to streamline documentation, billing, and data sharing for practitioners.
• Martin Tumusiime, Yo-Waste: A location-based mobile application that connects homes and businesses to independent agents for efficient on-demand rubbish collection and disposal to help Uganda combat its mounting waste crisis.

A separate ‘One to Watch’ award was also awarded to Abubakari Zarouk Imoro for his innovation, Myco-Substitutes, for their innovation’s impact on local communities. Imoro received UK£5,000, conferred in 2024 in honour of Martin Bruce, a late Ghanaian alumnus of the Africa Prize.

10^th Africa Prize marked in Nairobi

The annual Africa Prize was introduced in order to support innovators in their quest to develop sustainable and scalable solutions to local challenges in the continent.

This year, the Royal Academy of Engineering is celebrating the 10^th anniversary of the prize and has marked the milestone by hosting the Africa Prize Alumni Reunion. This brought together 100 innovators from the past decade ahead of the final ceremony. Since its inception, the Africa Prize alumni community has now grown to almost 150 entrepreneurs from 23 countries who have reportedly generated more than 28,000 jobs through their innovations and services.

The 2025 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation is now open for entries. The Academy is looking for scalable engineering solutions designed to solve local challenges, and individuals and small teams living and working in sub-Saharan Africa are invited to enter.

The signing ceremony for the new partnership. (Image source: Airtel Africa)

Airtel Africa, a provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, has appointed as its payment processor Network International (Network), a leading enabler of digital commerce

Airtel Africa has a presence in 14 countries on the continent and the new collaboration will help the company drive its continued provision of mobile services. The new partnership will equip the company so that it is able to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital finance, drive innovation and deliver value to its users.

“We are thrilled to partner with Network International to enhance our payment processing capabilities,” remarked Ian Ferrao, Group CEO, Airtel Money. “This collaboration will enable us to deliver a superior customer experience and drive digital financial inclusion across Africa. Network International's proven track record and deep understanding of the African market will allow us to innovate and scale our services more effectively. Together, we will empower our users with seamless and secure payment solutions, fostering economic growth and inclusion in the communities we serve.”

With experience operating in 40 countries in Africa, serving more than 200 financial institutions and facilitating more than 1.6 billion transactions, Network is well positioned to support Airtel Africa in its operations moving forward. It will roll-out its services in key Airtel Africa markets, covering card issuance products and providing technical support. This includes a comprehensive range of services such as transaction processing, card hosting and management, online fraud prevention, internal reconciliation and settlement and online access for Airtel users.

“Our collaboration with Airtel marks a major milestone for our outsourced payments services in Africa,” surmised Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa and co-head group processing at Network International. “It demonstrates our ability to successfully serve Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) via our fully-fledged processing solutions and our continued dedication and commitment to the African region. We are excited to support Airtel’s growth strategy and its business development plans for the entire continent.”

Earlier in the year Airtel Africa unveiled Airtel Africa Telesonic Limited in a bid to transform the wholesale data market. Click here to learn more.

To strengthen workplace safety, the company needed best-in-class Lockout/Tagout procedures, specifically tailored for each machine on-site. (Image source: Brady Corporation)

Read a case study describing how a large beverage processing plant considerably increased maintenance safety with machine-specific Lockout/Tagout procedures, capable of preventing any accident related to moving machine parts and machine energy 

Challenge: Make machine maintenance safer

A large beverage processor was already using safety padlocks and tools to isolate machinery during maintenance interventions. The procedures that drive the optimal use of Lockout/Tagout where not always 100% clear. To strengthen workplace safety, the company needed best-in-class Lockout/Tagout procedures, specifically written for each machine on-site.

In scope of this major workplace safety project were both the production and warehouse area, including a wide range of machines for bottle filling, packaging and lifting.

Solution: For each machine a complete Lockout/Tagout procedure

Brady Corporation sent a specialised Safety Engineer on-site to write best in class, fully illustrated Lockout/Tagout procedures Lockout/Tagout procedures, together with our customer. These procedures can ensure complete machine isolation from all energy sources, and prevent serious maintenance safety risks and accidents.

Every energy control point, be it a push button, wheel valve, butterfly valve or other, was identified and included in the new Lockout/Tagout procedures. Our engineer illustrated all of them in the procedures with pictures taken on-site. This enables employees to easily find every energy control point and lock them in the off-position.

All draft procedures were presented to the management team via Brady’s LINK360 software for swift procedure approval, editing and sharing. Once approved, each illustrated procedure can easily be printed, or shared with the LINK360 app on relevant mobile devices to strengthen procedure compliance.

With every Lockout/Tagout procedure confirmed, Brady offered a complete inventory of Lockout/Tagout tools needed to enable safer machine interventions. Tools already available in the workplace were taken into account. Additional tools needed included more safety padlocks, dedicated devices to lock specific energy control points in the off-position, and a number of accessories to increase Lockout/ Tagout efficiency.

Next, Brady delivered customised shadowboards to promote the use of Lockout/ Tagout in the workplace. All Lockout/Tagout tools were organised on these highly visible boards to facilitate tool distribution and availability. Maintenance specialists can now walk up to the relevant board, check their work permit, take the listed tools and easily return them to the tool shadows when done.

Results: Complete machine isolation during interventions

With best in class Lockout/Tagout procedures in place, written by an experienced Safety Engineer, the large beverage processor reduced safety risks during maintenance to an absolute minimum.

In a series of clear steps, every machine can now be isolated fully from its entire energy supply before maintenance starts. Maintenance specialists can lock the isolated machine state until after their intervention. This prevents machines from being energised too early. While carefully adhering to the steps in the relevant procedure, any maintenance accident caused by moving machine parts can be prevented. Via the LINK360 tool, changes in machinery or energy control points can be addressed swiftly, and updated procedures can easily be communicated with relevant employees.

Draw inspiration from our free guidebook “Enable safer machine interventions”

Lockout/Tagout prevents workplace accidents by completely and temporarily isolating machinery from its energy sources. When implemented well, it stops machine movement and machine energisation while interventions are ongoing. Use this guide for ideas on how to implement or strengthen your Lockout/Tagout programme, or contact us for answers to any questions you may have.

Download the free guidebook from Brady now >>