Kenyan Esther Kimani wins 2024 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2024 has been awarded to Kenyan Esther Kimani for her innovative early detection system for crop pests and diseases. This breakthrough will help small-scale farmers improve yields and protect their crops.

Awarded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, the prestigious “Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation” recognizes innovative engineering solutions adapted to the challenges of the African continent.

Kenyan Esther Kimani’s award-winning innovation is an advanced early detection system, designed to quickly identify crop pests and diseases. The technology could reduce crop losses by up to 30% and increase yields by 40%.

The device, aimed primarily at small-scale Kenyan farmers, who lose an average of 33% of their crops to pests and disease, represents a real revolution. This solution aims to transform the daily lives of small-scale farmers.

Powered by solar energy, the device uses sophisticated computer vision and machine learning algorithms to identify threats in real time. Once a threat has been detected, alerts are sent instantly by SMS, accompanied by appropriate intervention advice.

Esther Kimani received an award of £50,000, the highest amount ever awarded in the history of the prize, in celebration of its 10th anniversary.