Ethiopian Engineer Muse in Innovative Continental Contest


Ethiopian Engineer Muse in Innovative Continental Contest

An Ethiopian mechanical engineer has been shortlisted for a prestigious award: the 2023 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (APEI) Established in 2014, APEI is Africa’s biggest prize dedicated to developing African innovators and enhancing their impact through business incubation, mentoring, fundraising, and communications. Fikru Gebre has been nominated for developing the multi-purpose earth brick machine in response to the tough maintenance and repairs required for building homes. The manually operated portable construction machine interlocks compressed standard shape and size bricks. According to Fikru, this will improve the lack of access to advanced materials and the increased time spent maintaining homes built from 95pc soil and the remaining cement. The machine requires little maintenance and is easy to transport.  “It is cost-effective and environmentally friendly,” Fikru said. He studied engineering at universities in Bahir Dar and Meqelle, before moving to Jimma University in 2009, where he has been lecturing and researching. Fikru is among the 16 contenders from East and West Africa, with the prospect of winning 25,000 euros; the award will be held in London. Other contenders for the prize include Nigerians, Ghanaians and South Africans. The innovations are expected to provide engineering solutions to healthcare, agriculture, education, food security, and energy sectors crucial to UN Sustainable Development Goals, according to a release from the Royal Academy of Engineering, headquartered in London.

[ssba-buttons]

Radar

State-Owned Enterprises Deliver, But Fund Seeks More from Underperformers

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country's sovereign wealth fund, closed its annual performance review with a mix of strong gains and lingering concerns across its portfolio of state-owned enterprises. Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics led the year with 4.5 million tons of cargo, driving revenues up 90pc and doubling pre-tax profit. Sugar production from Wonji Shoa, Metehara, and Fincha climbed 34.8pc to 163,290 tons, nearly doubling revenues to 15.6 billion Br, though EIH flagged ch...


Radar

MIDROC Cocoa Drive, Local Production Focus on Value Addition

MIDROC Investment Group is placing a bold wager on cocoa in the lowlands of Sheka. Building on extensive trials at the Bebeka Coffee State Farm, the company has introduced globally prized Forastero, Trinitario, and Criollo varieties alongside coffee. "The results are astonishing," said General Manager Beshada Worku, pointing to international prices that range from 8,200 to 14,000 dollars a ton. The project's first phase covers 50 hectares, with 44,000 seedlings already planted. Expansion to ...


Radar

Bureau Maps Out 1,700 Land Rights in a Month

The Rights Registration & Holding Service Directorate under the Bureau of Land Development & Administration prepared over 1,700 landholding certification maps in a single month. The update came during the bureau's July performance review, which measured progress against the upcoming fiscal year's targets. Director Tesfamichael Endale said efforts are being scaled up to give farmers secure land rights and quicker certification. Deputy Head WendwossenBanjaw added that the priority ahead...