Ten young innovators from five African countries have won the 4th ATU Africa Innovation Challenge.
The winners came from Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Kenya. Their projects use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve local problems. The event was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday, 11th April 2025.
Top leaders from ATU, ITU, CAK, and Huawei attended the awards ceremony. Huawei was also the main sponsor.
This year’s challenge focused on AI solutions in agriculture, health, education, energy, finance, and consumer safety.
Winners included Mohamed Alpha from Sierra Leone with Fresh AI, which helps detect food spoilage and reduce waste.
Tanzania’s Alex Mkwizu created Tausi Africa, an AI tool that helps underserved people access loans with digital credit scoring.
Kenya’s Esther Kimani presented Farmer Lifeline Technologies, a tool that tracks farm emissions to support sustainable agriculture.
Also Read: Zimbabwe Launches Digital Program to Train 1.5 Million Coders
Innovators Tackle Africa’s Toughest Problems with AI
Nigeria’s Promise Okwuchukwu introduced PowerBox, a smart energy battery for off-grid communities.
Henry Mathayo from Tanzania launched MedPack, a mobile app that improves medicine delivery in hospitals and pharmacies.
Julius Mbungo, also from Tanzania, developed Spana, an AI platform that protects people from fake vehicle spare parts.
Malawi’s Chifuniro Misinde built Kavel Decodes, an AI learning tool for students who are visually impaired.
Another Tanzanian, Kelvin Pius Paul, shared Agro-Gen AI, a chatbot giving farmers real-time advice to improve crop health and yields.
Alinafe Kaliwo from Malawi created Chameleon Tools, a device that checks soil moisture and saves water for farming.
Lastly, Tanzania’s Asya Haji presented ClarioAI, a digital assistant that helps businesses understand customer behavior and product trends.
All ten winners received full scholarships to attend an AI training program at Strathmore University’s @iLabAfrica in Nairobi.
They learned about AI ethics, business scaling, and product development. Each also received a Huawei Matepad to help their work.
Young Africans Use AI to Solve Real Problems in Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Education
“This year’s 10 finalists demonstrate how targeted technological solutions can address systemic challenges in agriculture, energy, healthcare, and climate resilience. Their work underscores a critical truth: Africa’s youth are not just participants in the digital revolution—they are its architects,” said CAK Director General David Mugonyi.
He added, “As the ICT industry regulator, we recognize the need to create a favorable environment for innovators. Our sandbox fosters collaboration while safeguarding public interest.”
But he noted that different regulations across Africa limit innovation. “A sandbox in Kenya may not align with another country’s data localization laws, complicating cross-border scalability,” Mugonyi explained.
He urged African nations to work together. “Harmonization is urgent to ensure innovations like these can scale seamlessly across borders,” he said.
John Omo, Secretary General of ATU, said: “These AI-powered innovations are tackling Africa’s toughest problems head-on, from counterfeit products to unreliable energy access. They’re a testament to what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.”
Sherry Zhang from Huawei praised the winners. “These innovators are already solving real-world challenges with AI, and we’re thrilled to support their journey,” she said.
She called for stronger support systems. “We must prioritize connectivity, cloud infrastructure, and skills training to supercharge local innovation ecosystems,” Zhang added.
ITU’s Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava said, “These young innovators are building a stronger, more inclusive Africa.”
Organizers are now planning the 5th ATU Africa Innovation Challenge. Young Africans are encouraged to prepare and apply.