Posts by Davis Weddi
Navigating Africa’s intellectual property challenges
[GABORONE] Complicated intellectual property (IP) procedures are slowing down innovation in Africa, according to researchers, who say “innovation agencies” must help simplify processes and link researchers to markets. Despite hosting talented innovators and researchers, Africa contributes less than 0.5 per cent of global patent filings annually. Weak IP frameworks and limited coordination between African countries…
Read MoreUganda unlocks value from honey by-product
[GABORONE] When Joel Mukwaya, a biologist and post-graduate student at Uganda’s Makerere University, discovered the immune-boosting benefits of tea made from a honey-by product, he immediately sent some to his grandmother. The tea was made with propolis—a resin-like substance bees use when building their hives “I know of propolis tea’s immune-boosting properties and appetite enhancement,”…
Read MoreRwandan scientists find trees with high power potential
Scientists in Rwanda have found trees that could generate clean electricity. Scientists at Rwanda Forestry Authority have identified two tree species with potential to generate clean electricity, bringing power to remote communities. Rwanda has set a target of 100 per cent electricity access by 2030, but access to power in rural areas is still limited.…
Read MoreSolar milking tech boosts dairy farms in Malawi
Malawi’s solar-powered milking project could transform the livelihoods of small-scale dairy farmers living off-grid. When Robert Mbendera started out as a small-scale dairy farmer in rural Malawi 20 years ago, milking the one cow he owned was an arduous, time-consuming process. “It would take about 80 minutes to milk the cow — that’s 80 minutes…
Read MoreUgandan researchers offer lifeline to bakers
Ugandan researchers have come up with a simple set of guidelines to help bakeries comply with food safety standards – potentially saving them from closure. The new standards for bread and cake production were designed to be practical and easily understood by all bakers, regardless of their educational background. Introduced by the Uganda National Bureau…
Read MoreReal-time emissions tracker eyes cleaner bill of health
Rwandan innovators are taking on air pollution with a monitoring device that tracks vehicle emissions in real-time, shutting down the engine if levels get too high. Rwanda’s urban population is rapidly growing, deepening concerns about air pollution and the harm it’s causing to public health. “Exposure to harmful emissions can lead to long-term health issues,”…
Read MoreWind energy harnessed to solve power shortages in rural Nigeria
Nigerian innovators harness the power of the wind to provide electricity to rural communities. By Jesusegun Alagbe [LAGOS] A team of five Nigerian researchers have developed an innovative solution called AirVolt, designed to harness wind energy to generate sustainable electricity for rural communities in northern Nigeria. These areas, often disconnected from the national grid, face…
Read MoreZambian science events seek to boost women’s STEM uptake
Zambian researchers are inspiring women and young people in STEM through science boot camps and mentoring. By Gilbert Nakweya [NAIROBI] Zambian researchers are using three strategic interventions to enhance the participation and hands-on practice of women and young people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The women in STEM conference, the STEM boot camp,…
Read MoreBiogas plant addresses energy poverty in Malawi
Researchers in Malawi are helping communities reduce waste and improve sanitation through biogas production. By: Charles Pensulo [BLANTYRE, MALAWI] A biogas plant in Malawi has transformed the lives of mothers, girls, and children in local communities by reducing reliance on firewood and providing them with clean and sustainable energy, its developers say. Only ten per…
Read MoreMass breeding of desert locusts unlocks new food source
Researchers have developed a way of breeding locusts as a source of protein for animals and people. By: Dann Okoth [NAIROBI] Mass breeding of desert locusts in a controlled environment could provide a sustainable source of protein for animals and humans as well as business opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers say. With nearly 282 million…
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