26-yr old Ghanaian becomes 1st woman to win the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
A Ghanaian technology entrepreneur has won the Royal Academy of Engineering’s distinguished 2020 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Charlette N’Guessan is the very first lady to win the Africa Reward, and the first winner from Ghana.
The 26-year-old N’Guessan and her team developed BACE API, a software that utilizes facial recognition and expert system to verify identities remotely.
The software can be incorporated into existing apps and systems and is aimed at banks and other industries that count on identity confirmation when providing services.
The BACE API software utilizes a phone or computer system’s integrated video camera and does not require special hardware, and in contrast to international AI systems, has actually been developed particularly to determine Africans.
While facial recognition software isn’t brand-new, BACE API particularly uses live images or brief videos taken on phone cameras to find whether the image is of a real person, or a photo of an existing image.
N’Guessan wins the first reward of ₤ 25,000 (192,000 GHS). At the virtual awards ceremony held on 03 September 2020, 4 finalists provided presentations, before Africa Prize judges and a live audience elected the most appealing engineering innovation.
The Africa Prize for Engineering Development, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK in 2014, is Africa’s most significant reward dedicated to engineering development, and has a proven performance history of determining successful engineering entrepreneurs.
Now in its sixth year, it supports skilled sub-Saharan African business owners with engineering developments, that address vital issues in their communities in a brand-new and proper method.
N’Guessan and her co-founders developed the software in 2018 after research they did throughout their studies revealed that Ghana’s banks have a significant problem with identity scams and cyber-crime. The research approximated that approximately $400 million is spent every year by Ghanaian banks to determine their consumers.
In partnership with a data controller that deals with accredited government-issued identity documents, BACE API has access to Ghanaian passports and other identity files to use during its confirmation processes.
Two banks are currently utilizing the software application to confirm clients’ identities, and the software is being evaluated on an occasion platform to verify guest registrations.
Throughout the worldwide pandemic, BACE API has actually become a feasible alternative to the in-person confirmation procedures used by most companies, such as fingerprints or personal appearances. Companies can now authenticate and onboard brand-new or existing clients without ever satisfying them.
The Africa Reward mentorship and training has helped the group focus more on their company advancement, and given that being shortlisted, the group has actually defined strategies to improve BACE API’s market position. They have actually likewise signed key partnerships with regional banks, enhanced the precision of the model, and lowered the verification time.
James Duddridge MP, Minister for Africa, UK, stated: “Congratulations to all the participants in this year’s Africa Prize. The UK is a center of engineering development, and house to a wealth of entrepreneurial talent and experience. By partnering this talent with the most promising African innovators we can produce local services to international difficulties, transforming lives and enhancing economies.”
British High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Iain Walker stated: “Congratulations to Charlotte N’Guessen, the very first woman to win this Africa prize. Financial inclusion is expanding quickly with increased digital transactions. So too is cyber scams and N’Guessen’s wining innovation focuses on tackling this. Ayekoo”
Fifteen shortlisted Africa Prize business owners, from 6 nations in sub-Saharan Africa, got eight months of training and mentoring, during which they established their service strategies and discovered to market their developments. The group got training on communicating efficiently, concentrating on clients and approaching investors with confidence.
The Africa Reward likewise connects the shortlist to individuals and networks in the UK and throughout Africa who can accelerate their business and innovation development– from fellow business owners and coaches to prospective financiers and suppliers.
The Africa Prize supports the brightest minds across the continent, equipping them with abilities to reshape and reassess their services.
“We are extremely happy to have Charlette N’Guessan and her group win this award,” stated Rebecca Enonchong, Africa Reward judge and Cameroonian entrepreneur. “It is vital to have innovations like facial recognition based on African neighborhoods, and we are confident their innovative technology will have far reaching benefits for the continent.”
The 3 runners up, who each got ₤ 10,000, are:
– Farmz2U, Aisha Raheem from Nigeria– a digital platform that supplies farmers with tailored farming data to enhance their experience and efficiency.
– PapsAI, Dr. William Wasswa from Uganda– a low-cost digital microscopic lense that speeds up cervical cancer screening medical diagnosis, and systems to enhance patient record management.
– Remot, David Tusubira from Uganda– a system that handles off-grid power grids by keeping an eye on the condition of solar ranges.
“Belonging to the Africa Reward has given us such self-confidence,” stated N’Guessan. “We concentrate on Africa since we wish to make certain BACE API is utilized by our individuals, and works for them. We are so grateful to the Academy, and can not wait to take our development to new heights.”
To date, the 86 Africa Prize alumni services have actually raised more than 14 million USD in grants and equity and developed more than 1500 brand-new jobs, with over 50% of these going to females and a substantial proportion to handicapped individuals and youth.
The seventh Africa Reward for Engineering Development is now open. Individuals and teams living and operating in sub-Saharan Africa, and who have an engineering development, are invited to get in.
Potential entrants can find more details here. The deadline for entries is 14 September 2020.
The other 11 candidates shortlisted for the Africa Reward 2020 were:
– Aquaprotein, Jack Oyugi from Kenya– a budget friendly protein supplement for animal feed, made from invasive water hyacinth
– CATHEL, Catherine Tasankha Chaima from Malawi– an affordable anti-bacterial soap made from farming waste and other plant-based extracts
– CIST Ethanol Fuel, Richard Arwa from Kenya– a clean cooking ethanol made from invasive water hyacinth
– DryMac, Adrian Padt from South Africa– a containerised drying system that uses burning biomass rather of electrical energy to dry and maintain crops
– Eco Water Purifier, Timothy Kayondo from Uganda– a digital system that turns bones, cassava peelings, coconut shells and other waste into an activated carbon water filter
– EcoRide, Bernice Dapaah from Ghana– bamboo bikes made by Ghanaian females and youth from sustainable products and recycled parts
– Trash In Worth Out (GIVO), Victor Boyle-Komolafe from Nigeria– automates and digitises the collection, processing and sale of recyclable products
– GrainMate, Isaac Sesi from Ghana– an easy handheld meter to properly determine the moisture material of grains to avoid decomposing, insect infestation and quality reduction
– Laboratory and Library on Wheels, Josephine Godwyll from Ghana– a mobile, solar-hybrid cart with gizmos and e-learning resources to motivate reading and teach STEAM topics in underresourced schools
– Safi Organics, Samuel Rigu from Kenya– a novel chemical process that turns crop waste into a series of affordable fertilisers
– Tree_Sea. mals Mini-Grid, Tracy Kimathi from Kenya– a planetary system that powers common refrigeration storage spaces in rural Kenya
About the Royal Academy of Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to construct a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone.
In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing skill and establishing abilities for the future, driving development and building worldwide collaborations, and affecting policy and engaging the general public.