Innovation Prize for Africa 2013 announces winners

8 May 2013

With the global population expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050 and more than 900 million people living in hunger, the need for nutritious food is on a rapid increase. Acknowledging this need and the impact of hunger in Africa, the AgriProtein team from South Africa was announced as the overall winner of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) earlier this week.

Innovation Prize for Africa 2013 announces winners

The team of researchers and entrepreneurs will receive US$100, 000 for its innovative approach to nutrient recycling - a method that uses waste and fly larvae to produce natural animal feed.

Selected from over 900 applications across 45 countries, the AgriProtein team was selected as the winner of the 2013 Innovation Prize for Africa, after being validated on several criteria.

The AgriProtein solution collects biodegradable waste, feeds it to flies that in turn produce larvae that are ground into protein to provide a more ecologically friendly, naturally occurring type of animal feed. This approach improves the nutritional value of meat and lowers the cost of animal feed for African processors and farmers.

Two runners up were recognised for their contributions to African innovation. In the business potential category, Hassine Labaied and Anis Aouini (Tunisa) from Saphon Energy received US$25, 000 for creating a bladeless wind convertor. In the social impact category, Sanoussi Diakite (Senegal) received US$25,000 for developing a thermal powered machine that husks 5 kilograms of fonia - a West African cereal - in just eight minutes.

African solutions for African challenges

"The Innovation Prize for Africa winners showcase African solutions to African challenges," said Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, co-founder of the African Innovation Foundation and the IPA. "It is time for private sector leaders, donors and governments to work together to invest in practical solutions that will sustain Africa's economic growth."

Winners were selected by a skilled panel of jurors based on the marketability, originality, scalability, social impact and business potential of their respective innovations. They are provided with unrestricted funds in recognition of their achievements and are free to use the prize in the manner they deem most appropriate.

"We are honoured by this remarkable recognition," said Jason Drew a member of the AgriProtein team. "We are passionate about expanding our business to recycle more waste nutrients and supply a natural protein to feed farm animals - helping sustainably feed our continent - this is an African contribution to sustainable agriculture for our planet."

IPA 2014

The call for applications for IPA 2014 will be announced in July 2013. For detailed information of competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission details, go to www.innovationprizeforafrica.org.