The African Development Bank has announced 20 finalists of the ‘AfricavsVirus Challenge.’
Six Nigerian firms, SAFETYassured, S-Band Face Shields, Drcloud, Diginue Technology, Affordable RE, and Acadasuite were among the top 20 finalists unveiled by the bank.
AfDB said the winners would receive a grant of up to $20,000 as well as access to business development and other in-kind services.
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The 20 winners emerged from a shortlist of 100 applicants who pitched ideas for innovative solutions to the health and economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 20 winning solutions, including a distance learning device from Cameroon, digital business training from Uganda, colour-coded soap from Nigeria, and digitally-encoded health records in Senegal, according to AfDB, are designed to tackle education, economic, and health challenges arising from the pandemic.
“The AfricavsVirus Challenge highlighted a diverse capacity for creativity and innovation. It is a direct reflection of how young people are creating tangible opportunities despite facing the adversity of quickly changing and unprecedented times,” said the bank’s Director of Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development, Martha Phiri.
One of the winners, Tizzita Tefera, said, “Joining AfricavsVirus was an opportunity to work with a global team to find solutions that were unique to the African perspective. Since the challenge, we have been able to gain additional support from government stakeholders and start conversations on the need for more public-private partnerships.”
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