Coronavirus: Ten African innovations to help tackle Covid-19

 

As Africa passes more than a million confirmed Covid-19 cases, innovators on the continent have responded to the challenges of the pandemic with a wide range of creative inventions. Here are 10 we've picked out.

1. 'Doctor Car' robot

Students from the Dakar Polytechnic School in Senegal have built a multifunctional robot designed to lower the risk of Covid-19 contamination from patients to caregivers.

The device is equipped with cameras and is remotely controlled via an app. The designers say it can move around the rooms of quarantined patients to take their temperatures and deliver drugs and food.

2. Automatic hand-washing machine

Nine-year-old Kenyan schoolboy Stephen Wamukota invented a wooden hand-washing machine to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

The machine allows users to tip a bucket of water to wash their hands by using a foot pedal. This helps users avoid touching surfaces to reduce the risk of infection.

Stephen was given a presidential award in June.

3. The Respire-19 portable ventilator

Amid a shortage of ventilators on Covid-19 wards in Nigeria, 20-year-old engineering student Usman Dalhatu attempted to help meet the shortfall.

Dalhatu built the portable automatic ventilator to help people with respiratory problems - often a symptom of a severe coronavirus infection. He now plans to build up to 20 ventilators.

4. 3D mask printing

Natalie Raphil is the founder of Artificial Intelligence company Robots Can Think South Africa.

She's using 3D printers to produce 100 masks a day for use in some of Johannesburg's major hospitals. South Africa accounts for around half of all reported coronavirus cases in Africa.

5. Solar-powered hand-washing sink

Amid a lockdown in Ghana aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, shoemaker Richard Kwarteng and his brother Jude Osei decided to design a solar-powered hand-washing basin.

6. Web-based X-ray lung scans

Engineers in Tunisia have created an online platform that scans lung X-rays to try to determine if a person could be suffering from coronavirus.

When hands come into contact with a sensor on the device, soapy water is automatically released. An alarm goes off after 25 seconds of hand-washing - within the timescale recommended by the World Health Organization.

When an X-ray is uploaded onto the platform, it runs a test to detect signs of a possible coronavirus infection. Researchers at the National Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Tunis say the tool is 90% effective in indicating the probability of infection.

The platform is still in development, but thousands of lung X-rays have been fed into the system to enable it to recognise the impact of Covid-19 on lungs.

7. Police robots on lockdown patrol

Authorities in Tunisia deployed police robots on the streets of the capital Tunis in April to enforce lockdown measures.

The surveillance robots, called PGuards, spied on people walking on the street and approached them to ask why they were out.

Offenders then had to show their ID and other documents to the cameras attached to the robots. The four-wheeled devices are equipped with thermal-imaging cameras and light detection and ranging technology.

8. Wooden money sanitiser

Kenyan mobile money agent Danson Wanjohi has built a wooden device that sanitises cash notes that are passed through a slot in the machine.

Wanjohi constructed the mechanism using a motor, a rubber band and gears which enable notes to pass through the machine.

As the notes pass through the device, they are cleaned with a sanitising solution.

9. Rapid 65-minute Covid-19 testing kit

South African tech entrepreneurs Daniel Ndima and Dineo Lioma have created a Covid-19 testing kit which provides results in just 65 minutes.

Typically, it can take up to three days for Covid-19 tests to produce results.

The testing kit is known as qPCR, and features a technology used to measure DNA. The testing kit needs to undergo regulatory approval before it can be rolled out.

10. Socially distanced haircuts

In Ethiopia, barbers have come up with a way to continue cutting hair for clients while minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

The barbers stand in a specially constructed booth which acts as a partition separating them from clients, minimising person-to-person contact.

Climate Tracker Fellowship Program 2020 for young Journalists worldwide ($150USD per month Stipend)

 Application Deadline: September 4th 2020 https://bit.ly/3l3s18H

Climate Tracker launched an online training programme which will see 12 young journalists from around the world dive into a paid 3-month mentorship with us! As a selected participant, you will be challenged and supported to publish 1 climate feature story each month on through our site. Your stories will be shared and promoted throughout our networks. Our aim is to make you famous for the awesome climate messages you produce. Exciting, right?!

Requirements

Be 18-35 years old

1 year of journalism experience min

A hunger to improve as journalists - this is a learning experience

A history of writing quality climate stories

Ability to take good quality photos

Benefits

Get paid a $150USD stipend per month for the duration of the Fellowship!

Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund JUMPSTARTER Global Pitch Competition 2021 for Startups & Entrepreneurs worldwide (US$1 million in investment)

 JUMPSTARTER is a not-for-profit initiative curated by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund that provides a platform for all entrepreneurs and young people to jump start their dreams in Hong Kong. It is also a first-of-its-kind startup event focused exclusively on showcasing quality startups and providing high-impact networking opportunities.

Application Deadline: October 19th, 2020 https://bit.ly/3hiGFGY

JUMPSTARTER is a not-for-profit initiative curated by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund that provides a platform for all entrepreneurs and young people to jump start their dreams in Hong Kong. It is also a first-of-its-kind startup event focused exclusively on showcasing quality startups and providing high-impact networking opportunities.

Startups

Startups come to the JUMPSTARTER platform to pitch their business ideas, network with potential corporates and investors, and get advice from top-notch industry experts.

Requirements

Operating for less than 5 years Raised less than US$20 million in funding to date

Currently between the Seed and Series C stages of funding

Desire to make Hong Kong part of their future plans

Possess an innovative product or service

Opportunity for women: tell your story in Girl Rising & HP's storytelling challenge #Mystory.

 Share stories of courage, impact, resilience and change. 15 Showcase stories will receive a micro grant of $500 USD & will be featured at the International Day of the Girl Celebration! https://bit.ly/3aIL8A1

Now is an important time to listen and learn from each other. We want to highlight the powerful work that you are doing to create a more just and equal world. Whether you are a teenager in Texas organizing dialogues between local police and students; a team of educators in Guatemala delivering learning materials to girls in rural areas; a group of young women in Nairobi distributing health and menstrual hygiene supplies; or an organization in Thailand teaching film-making to young people — we want to hear your stories and amplify your voice.

Benefits

All stories will be part of our online collection. 15 stories will receive a financial award of $500 USD & will be showcased at the Girl Rising International Day of the Girl celebration in October 2020. Select stories will be featured on Girl Rising's Social Media channels.

Huawei's Seeds for the Future Program 2020 for young Kenyan University Students

 Application Deadline: 29th August 2020 https://bit.ly/3hpruM5

Seeds for the Future Program is Huawei's global CSR flagship program that was launched in 2008 . Since 2014, Huawei and ICT Authority have jointly worked together to build a stronger ICT ecosystem through promoting ICT skills and capacity through the program in Kenya thus helping ICT professionals fill the gaps between theory and practice and master the required skills. This program seeks to develop local ICT talent, enhance knowledge sharing, and improve people's understanding of and interest in the ICT industry. Globally, It encourages countries across different regions to participate in the construction of digital communities.

Requirements

Kenyan students currently studying at the university preferably with a major in ICT or STEM

Demonstrated excellent academic acumen

Passionate about telecoms and technology trends

Benefits

A 5-day online experience around technology and culture:

History on Huawei and its technological developments

Exposure to cutting-edge Technology: 5G, cloud computing and AI

Exclusive thought provoking sessions with global visionary industry leaders

Exploration of the Asian culture mysteries from the world-famous Chinese scenic spots

Provision of free internet bundles during the training

Provision of an official program graduation certificate

2021/2022 Irish Aid Roger Casement Fellowship in Human Rights (Fully Funded to study in Ireland)

 he Roger Casement fellowship has been established to honour the memory of the Irish human rights activist Roger Casement who spent some of his early working life in Calabar, Nigeria. He was an early advocate for human rights while in Nigeria, and, famously, during his later work in the Congo, the Amazon and in Ireland. With his humanitarian legacy in mind, it has been decided to support one Nigerian student to study a master’s degree in human rights in Ireland.

Application Deadline: 13 September 2020. https://bit.ly/3hj4EW9

The Roger Casement fellowship has been established to honour the memory of the Irish human rights activist Roger Casement who spent some of his early working life in Calabar, Nigeria. He was an early advocate for human rights while in Nigeria, and, famously, during his later work in the Congo, the Amazon and in Ireland. With his humanitarian legacy in mind, it has been decided to support one Nigerian student to study a master’s degree in human rights in Ireland.

Benefits

The Roger Casement Fellowship Programme normally covers: return airfares, full tuition, stipends to cover accommodation and subsistence costs, health insurance and other allowances, in addition to the necessary entry arrangements such as medical examination and visa.

Requirements

be a citizen of Nigeria and be residing in Nigeria

have achieved the necessary academic standard to be accepted onto a master’s level course of study in Human Rights

have a minimum of two years' relevant work experience.

be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of Nigeria.

be able to take up the fellowship in the academic year for which it is offered.

meet any relevant procedural requirements of the Government of Nigeria.

be able to demonstrate skills in academic English by achieving an appropriate score on a recognised test (e.g. IELTS 6.5).

Opportunity: 2020 Thompson Reuters Foundation's Bigger Picture Photography Competition on Covid-19

 Could your picture tell a thousand words? Then the camera is in your hands. The photo competition is open to anyone with a passion for turning the lens on the real lives behind the headlines, and an ability to capture the most powerful images of the pandemic’s impact on everyday people.

Application Deadline: October 28th 2020 https://bit.ly/2YtrzqJ

Could your picture tell a thousand words? Then the camera is in your hands. The photo competition is open to anyone with a passion for turning the lens on the real lives behind the headlines, and an ability to capture the most powerful images of the pandemic’s impact on everyday people.

Objectives

Encouraging awareness of the human impact of COVID-19 by leveraging and scaling the crucially informative role of citizens

reporting on these issues;

Shedding light on the many underreported dynamics relating to COVID-19; and

Motivating citizen journalists and photography enthusiasts to report on the human impact of COVID-19

Award Prizes

• All the recipients of the Award (the “Winners”) will receive an Award certificate.

• Winners will be granted attendance to an online photojournalism masterclass run by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. This masterclass will allow the Winners to enhance their skills as well as identify how to best capture images to tell stories.

• Each Winner will also each be offered the unique opportunity to work alongside the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s news team on a piece of photojournalism content selected by the Thomson Reuters Foundation that will be shared via the Reuters wire, a global distribution news network.

Applications open for Commonwealth youth to lead on human rights and democracy

 Applications are open for eight young people to lead the charge in protecting and promoting human rights across the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Youth Human Rights and Democracy Network (CYHRDN) is seeking volunteers for its executive positions to serve from 2020 to 2022. CYHRDN is one of 10 Commonwealth Youth Networks supported by the Secretariat.

Application Deadline: 5 September 2020.

Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/3lcsyVR

Policy Research and Advocacy Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

Education and Training Coordinator

Partnership Engagement Coordinator

Disability Rights Coordinator

Rapporteur on Discrimination

Rapporteur for Migrants and Refugees' Rights

Rapporteur for Gender-based violence

Requirement

be a Commonwealth citizen aged 15 to 29 years;

have a strong commitment to promoting human rights and democracy;

have experience of working with youth-led organisations or initiatives focused on human rights and democracy; and

be available to commit 10-15 hours per week to the network’s activities.

2021/2022 Skoll MBA Scholarship in Social Entrepreneurship at the University of oxford’s Saïd Business School (Fully Funded)

 Application Deadline: January 21st 2021

Click here to apply https://bit.ly/3lfnvE8

The Skoll Scholarship provides full funding plus a living stipend to complete an MBA at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School for social entrepreneurs worldwide.

The Skoll Scholarship is a competitive scholarship for incoming MBA students to Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, who pursue entrepreneurial solutions for urgent social and environmental challenges.

Requirements

You have identified opportunities and taken action in order to make positive social impact

You have spent preferably at least 3 years driving change through entrepreneurial approaches. For example, you could have:

Started or grown a social venture

OR created and led the expansion of a social impact initiative within an organisation

OR been tackling a specific social/environmental issue, through a core thread that unites your work

Benefits

The Scholarship covers the full course fees for the MBA programme, as well as partial living expenses of at least an additional £14,985.

The French oil company Total resumes drilling operation in Angola

 The French oil company Total announced Sunday the resumption of offshore drilling in Angola through the Skyros platform.

According to the announcement published by the Petro Angola website, the oil company has revealed its short and medium term plans for operations in Angola, where it is responsible for around 50% of the oil output.

The plan also foresees two more operations to start in the following week.

Last May, the oil company had announced that there would not be further drilling for crude oil production due to the effects of the pandemic.

In the published note, the company recognized that the crisis caused by Covid-19 and the dramatic drop in oil prices impacted the world economy which was not immune.

In the meantime, the Total has developed an action plan to reduce its investments, including "opex" and the "buy-back" programs.

The company is also focused on projects already approved, such as Zinia Phase 2 and Clov Phase 2 in Block 17 or Curry and East Mustard in Block 32.

Total also guarantees that it is accelerating its offshore activities in Angola and that it will restart well drilling, as well as conducting seismic acquisitions and non-routine production and maintenance operations in both Blocks 17 and 32.

The Skyros platform is already in Block 32 and Maersk Voyager is expected to restart drilling at the end of August, while the West Gemini is expected to restart in the coming weeks, says the note.

 The French oil company thus appears as the first firm to restart non-essential offshore activities in Angola.

Angola may benefit from USD 2.6 billion moratorium

 

Angola may stop paying USD 2.6 billion in debt payment this year alone, which corresponds to 3.1 percent of last year?s GDP, according to the Fitch Ratings financial rating agency.

Angola will be the most benefitted country from a possible extension of the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI),  and could  “save”  4.3 percent of GDP.

According to the payments due data published by the World Bank, only five of the 22 countries that Fitch evaluates and that are eligible to participate in the DSSI, would see funding requirements for this year reduced by more than one percent, with the highest benefit for Angola, at 4,3 percent.

The data are contained in the report on the impact of the accession of the most vulnerable countries to the G20 initiative.

In document reached Lusa news agency, Fitch Ratings  says that of these countries (Angola, Mozambique, Republic of Congo and Laos), only Laos  did not apply for the initiative organised in April, and  intend to suspend payments of official bilateral debt until the end of this year.

In November it may be extended to the end of 2021, due to the impact  of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the most fragile economies.

 “An extension of the G20 DSSI to emerging market countries is likely, possibly at the November meeting, which would amplify the benefits of this initiative”, write the analysts at Fitch Ratings, which is owned by the same owners as Fitch Solutions.

So far, more than 40 countries, including Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe, have asked to participate in this initiative, which does not cover debt to private creditors, which would be dealt with separately. 

“The G20 encouraged private sector investors to provide debt relief along lines similar to the relief provided under the DSSI, but this is not a requirement for participation,” notes the Fitch. 

The note adds that “up to now none of the countries participating in the DSSI has said publicly that they would try to have similar treatment from private creditors, which partly reflects concerns about access to financial markets”. 

With the exception of Moody's, the other two main rating agencies consider that participation in the initiative does not necessarily imply a downgrade of the rating, but Moody's argues that participation implies a weakening of the financial position and, therefore, a downgrade of the rating. 

“The Debt Service Suspension Initiative focuses only on debt to official creditors, which is not covered by Fitch’s definition default”, says the analysts.

Angola strengthens antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection

 

 Angola's health sector has been strengthened with antiretroviral drugs to assist people living with HIV/AIDS for the next three months.

This was confirmed Monday by the director of National Institute for Fight against AIDS, Lúcia Furtado, while speaking to the press Monday in Luanda.

The official was speaking in reaction to the alleged stock out of the antiretroviral drugs in the country’s health facilities.

She confirmed that the country received 13,000 batches of antiretroviral medicines this month to assist people with HIV/AIDS. 

Lúcia Furtado said that batches of medicines started reaching reference hospitals, from where the people with HIV/ AIDS can get them. 

The official admitted that four provinces of the country were facing shortage of the antiretroviral drugs - Luanda, Huíla, Benguela and Cuanza Sul.

But she denied allegations that there was ??stock outs in the hospitals, adding that the shortage owed to a delay by the supplier, which had difficulties in production and shipping to Angola due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Lúcia Furtado stressed that the purchase process of these drugs started in September 2019. 

Angolan health services put at 340,000 the number of HIV positive.

WWF South Africa Environmental Leaders 2021 Graduate Internship Programme.

Are you looking for an opportunity in labour market? Don't miss it, apply now. 

Application Deadline: 31 August 2020. 

Are you a graduate who wants to gain valuable workplace experience, network in professional communities of practice and participate in meaningful work for the environment?

If you have graduated in the natural, legal, engineering, business, social sciences or arts, we invite you to apply for the WWF South Africa Environmental Leaders 2021 Graduate Internship Programme.

WWF is a leading, global environmental organization with a vision of a future in which people and nature thrive. To realise this vision, WWF South Africa invests in the development of future leaders for the environment through a year-long graduate internship placement, from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. 

Interns are placed with WWF South Africa’s environmental programmes as well as with partner organisations associated with our work. Working with a dedicated and trained mentor, you will have the opportunity to get involved with the work of the organisation with which you are placed and interact with professionals pursuing the same vision of a better world for all.

Requirements

WWF’s Graduate Internships provide a practical and paid bridging experience for new graduates to gain valuable experience and workplace-based training, and connect into professional networks to establish their careers for the environment.

Click here to apply https://bit.ly/3gpgFIE