Africans innovations
- Empowering youth to innovate local solutions through technology
Overview
I had the pleasure of conducting a workshop at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg.
The goal? To introduce a methodology for creating technological innovations that solve community-based problems.
The creativity of the participants exceeded my wildest expectations. When I asked them to identify local problems, I expected standard answers.
Instead, I received responses that made me realize how little I know about the world and its complexity.
An example? Here you go: genetic engineering of trees whose smoke repels malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Main reflection
This session made me realize that when a problem is well understood and grounded in local context, technology can become a powerful tool for change.
It’s not about inventing another food delivery app, but about solving real, pressing issues.
I’m particularly proud of the design process that resulted in such creative and ambitious ideas. It shows that innovation knows no geographical or economic boundaries.
Sometimes all it takes is the right impulse to unleash the potential dormant in young minds.