Namibia’s young innovators showcase solutions at Falling Walls Lab

Namibia’s young innovators are developing practical solutions to some of the country’s pressing challenges, from improving mobility for people with visual impairments to finding ways of storing solar energy for use when sunlight is unavailable.

These ideas were showcased at the Falling Walls Lab Namibia 2026, hosted by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), in Windhoek.

The competition gave young Namibians three minutes to pitch breakthrough ideas, while providing an opportunity to receive feedback from experts, gain exposure and connect with potential collaborators.

Speaking on behalf of NCRST ceo, Anicia Peters, Simon Nghipangwa, general manager for business support services, emphasised the importance of creating platforms where young innovators can present their ideas and engage with experts and potential collaborators.

The competition was won by Petrus Namwandi for his proposed Blind Mobility solution, which seeks to transform the traditional white cane into a smart mobility device for visually impaired people.

Namwandi’s proposed device uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles before physical contact and alerts the user through vibrations. It also incorporates an emergency button and location-sharing functionality, allowing users to request assistance and share their location with a designated caregiver.

His win will take the innovation beyond Namibia. Namwandi will represent the country at the Falling Walls Global Finale in Berlin, where he will present Blind Mobility to an international audience. He will also receive pitch training from NCRST ahead of the event.

The Global Finale is scheduled for 6 November, with Namwandi travelling to Berlin from 5 to 11 November. The programme will also include the Falling Walls Science Summit, running from 6 to 9 November, bringing together researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs and other leaders in science and innovation.

Secilia Naule was named second runner-up for her proposed solar thermal energy storage solution, which stores solar energy as heat for use when sunlight is unavailable. She received an Innovation Development Voucher valued at N$5,000.

Sakeus Ndipwashimwe took third runner-up and received an Innovation Development Voucher valued at N$3,000.

Namwandi and Naule also jointly received the Audience Award after tying in the audience vote.

The competition highlights the potential of platforms that connect emerging innovators with technical expertise, exposure and opportunities to develop their ideas further.

For NCRST, supporting platforms such as Falling Walls Lab forms part of its wider role in strengthening Namibia’s research, science, technology and innovation ecosystem and creating opportunities for young people to turn innovative ideas into solutions.

The opportunities for collaboration extend beyond national platforms. Through the STISA-2034 multilateral research call, African researchers and institutions are being encouraged to work across borders to develop solutions in areas critical to the continent’s development, including health, agriculture, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, energy and the environment.

Full eligibility requirements, participating countries, and consortium-building resources are available on the call’s official landing page. Applicants are encouraged to review these details closely before beginning a proposal, and to use the matchmaking platform to confirm potential partners meet the call’s country and institutional criteria.

The call is supported through a partnership of African Science Granting Councils, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Government of Norway, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Wellcome.

Explore the full eligibility requirements and access the application portal at https://call.sgci.africa/. Expressions of interest are due September 25, 2026.

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Published on 3 September 2026

By Jackie Opara-Fatoye