Harambee : the spirit of innovation in Africa

Explores the significant advances that have been made in science and technology in Africa at the low-, medium-, and high-tech levels. Map of Africa Contents Acknowledgements Foreword Preface Introduction 1. Precolonial inventions 2. Agriculture, stock farming, apiculture and rural living 3. Terrestrial biodiversity conservation 4. Fishing, aquaculture and aquatic biodiversity conservation 5. Food and cooking 6. Drinks and beverages 7. Health and medicine I: Covid‐19 8. Health and medicine II: Other medical, hygiene and grooming innovations 9. Sustainable living 10. Energy and alternative energy 11. Town planning and urban living 12. Education and the youth 13. Sports, games and recreation 14. Clothing, accessories and design 15. Transport and transport infrastructure 16. Trade, industry, mining, biotechnology and nanotechnology 17. Commerce, e-commerce and fintech 18. Entrepreneurship and the future of work 19. Essay: African women in science and technology 20. Communications and telecommunications 21. Electronics, computers and smartphones 22. Robotics, machine learning and artificial intelligence 23. Military and security 24. Astronomy and space science 25. Essay: Future of technology 26. General discussion Author biography Bibliography Index "Is this Africa's century? How many inventions have been made in Africa? Is the nature of innovation in Africa different from elsewhere? Do you know the difference between tef and TEF; or a SolarTurtle, a Turtle car from Ghana and a satellite-tagged loggerhead turtle? How many African countries have produced their own cars? Why is the MPesa mobile money system so important? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in this remarkable book - the first of its kind. Over 800 inventions and innovations by more than 600 innovators from 50 African countries are discussed, and a variety of issues related to innovation are debated. From mompreneurs to moguls, waste pickers to fintech wizards, locust whisperers to rocket scientists, robocops to internet-enabled balloons, surfing therapy to gin flavoured with elephant dung, shweshwe cloth to microsatellites, you will be astounded by the creativity of the continent's techpreneurs. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of Africa."-- Back cover How many inventions come from Africa? How many African countries have produced their own cars? Why is the M-Pesa mobile money system so important? Is the nature of innovation in Africa different from what we find elsewhere? In Harambee ("working together"), Mike Bruton addresses these and related questions as he remarkably discusses more than 800 inventions and innovations by more than 600 innovators from 50 African countries. From mompreneurs to moguls, waste pickers to fintech wizards, locust whisperers to rocket scientists, Bruton showcases the creativity of the continent’s techpreneurs. The result is an insightful—and intriguing—introduction to the many significant advances in science and technology that have been made on the continent at the low-, medium-, and high-tech levels.