@iLabAfrica, Huawei, and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) have joined forces in a historic collaboration to deliver a week-long intensive training programme for the 10 finalists of the 4th edition of the Africa Innovation Challenge. This flagship initiative, co-facilitated by Huawei and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), underscores a shared commitment to nurturing young African talent and fostering homegrown innovation.
Launched in 2020, the Africa Innovation Challenge is an annual competition designed to identify and support young innovators and institutions developing solutions to pressing challenges on the continent. The 4th edition of the Challenge focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), spotlighting groundbreaking ideas from innovators under age 35 who are leveraging AI to transform their communities and sectors. The initiative continues to serve as a platform to empower youth, promote digital inclusion, and accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
This year’s 10 finalists represent a diverse and promising cohort of tech-driven change-makers across the continent. Their AI-powered solutions address a wide range of challenges, including education access, healthcare delivery, climate change, agriculture, and digital finance. Each finalist brings a unique vision and approach, showcasing the creativity and resilience of Africa’s next generation of innovators. The award-winning finalists across Africa included;
Kenya’s very own Esther Kimani – the founder of FarmerLifeline Technologies, which mitigates crop losses by detecting pests and diseases early while also curbing emissions that worsen environmental issues.
Kelvin Pius Paul from Tanzania is An Instructor at the Huawei Digital Innovation Training ICT Academy. He created Agro Gen-AI, an advanced chatbot that uses machine learning and natural language processing to enhance African agriculture by offering real-time insights on crop health, pest control, and market trends.
Henry Mathayo from Tanzania- The co-founder and CEO of MedPack, a health-tech enterprise that applies AI to improve African pharmaceutical supply chains.
Julius J. Mbungo from Tanzania – An entrepreneur who leads Spana, an application that simplifies car care through predictive maintenance, counterfeit part detection and direct mechanic connections.
Alex Mksizu from Tanzania -A data scientist dedicated to bridging finance gaps through Tausi, a Tanzanian AI-based credit scoring platform that uses technology to analyze alternative data sources to help lenders evaluate borrowers with limited financial histories.
Asya Haji from Tanzania- The data scientist and AI engineer established ClarioAI,a platform that uses chatbots ton offer verified product details in African Markets.
Promise Okwuchuwu from Nigeria – The founder of Mijolnia, developed the Powerbox, a multi-application energy module that uses machine learning to optimize storage, enhance performance, and reduce environmental impact.
Mohanned Alpha from Sierra Leone- A graduate student of Carnegie Mellon University developed Fresh AI, a cost-effective device that uses computer vision and gas sensors to identify spoilage in food items.
Chifuniro Msinde from Malawi- The Electrical and Electronics Engineer, founded Kavel Decodes, an assistive solution that integrates text-to-speech and machine learning to convert printed materials into audio feedback.
Alinafe Kaliwo from Malawi – An innovator and head of Mechro Limited, which monitors soil moisture and delivers precise irrigation recommendations. He integrates AI and IoT to support sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation.
The training programme officially commenced on 8th April,2025, with a welcome address by Eng. Kezias Kazuba Mwale, ATU’s Director for Spectrum, received the finalists on behalf of the ATU. The opening session, led by Mr. Amr Farouk Safwat—Chair of the African Union’s Working Group on Artificial Intelligence- set the tone by exploring the transformative potential of AI in solving Africa’s most urgent challenges.
Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica, reinforced the significance of this moment, stating: “Artificial Intelligence is being increasingly recognized as a transformative force in Africa, with the potential to drive economic growth, social development, and innovation.” Over five days, participants will engage in modules covering Responsible AI Development, Ethics, Design Thinking, Problem-Solving Frameworks, and practical AI development sessions.
As the Africa Innovation Challenge continues to grow in scope and impact, this week-long training represents more than just a skills-building exercise, it’s a launchpad for ideas that could reshape the continent. With the backing of strategic partners like Huawei, ITU, and @iLabAfrica, these young innovators are well on their way to becoming the architects of Africa’s AI-powered future.
By Ajuna Lindah.