Seven innovative African startups have been chosen as finalists for the 2024 edition of the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW), a highly regarded international accelerator program focused on hardware-led social innovation. The ASME, or American Society of Mechanical Engineers, hosts this annual event, which is set to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 19.
The selected finalists have distinguished themselves by creating affordable and sustainable hardware technology solutions that address a variety of challenges in sectors such as agriculture, construction, energy, healthcare, transportation, and waste management. These entrepreneurs will compete for a portion of the US$30,000 in grant funding and will receive technical support to assist in bringing their socially beneficial innovations to the marketplace.
Among the finalists are two Kenyan enterprises: Adumu, which has engineered a biodiesel-powered cooking system for institutional use, and Megagas Alternative Energy Enterprise, which has pioneered a process to transform plastic waste into a clean cooking fuel. Representing Uganda are Che Innovations, creators of a warming device aimed at preventing neonatal hypothermia during ambulance transfers, and Neosave Technologies, which has developed a wearable medical device that allows clinicians to continuously monitor the condition of sick newborns in medical care.
From Tanzania, Afya Lead has been recognized for its patented, non-invasive device designed to combat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a significant cause of maternal mortality. Ghana’s MeSADA has earned a spot in the finals with its innovative five-row staple grain precision seeder. Lastly, Zambia’s Yaaka Investment has been selected for its development of a non-emission, portable waste bin designed to mitigate the impact of harmful waste.
These startups exemplify the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa, offering practical solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing issues through ingenious hardware technologies.
