The African Union Commission, in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Senegal, recently launched the Innovating Education in Africa Expo at the International Conference Centre, Dakar, Senegal. This is yet another initiative by the AUC's Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology to showcase technical and social innovations and establish multisectoral platform for experience sharing on relevant innovations that address education challenges in Africa.

The Expo featured exhibitions, presentations of technical papers and demonstration of innovations by the shortlisted innovators who pitched for the awards. The assessment of the innovations was based on the credibility of perceived need, relevancy of the solution, market impact, sustainability and potential for mainstreaming. At the end, a young Ghanaian, Charles Ofori Antipem, won the first prize of $100,000, sponsored by ONE Campaign. Charles Ofori's winning innovation involved the design of a portable and very affordable STEM kit.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of other innovators, an overwhelmed Charles said “My dad was a science teacher for over 20 years of his life. The only thing he had was a rain gauge, a bottle that he used to measure rainfall. I remember every day it rained he would take me out to capture the rain and measure the amount of rainfall. Here was a dedicated teacher who didn't have much, but he was doing all he could to inspire his young son. Little did he know that I would be here today, with my innovation contributing to the transformation of Africa. This award is dedicated to all the teachers across Africa inspiring young students with the little that they have. We will do everything that we can to make sure that in the next decade every student no matter where they are will be at the cutting edge of science and innovation and the world better prepare for Africa.”
EU Awards
Charles Ofori Antipem receiving first prize education innovation award winner receiving the prize of $100,000 from H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, AU Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology

At the presentation ceremony, the AU Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, congratulated and commended all the innovators for raising the bright hope of the development of education, science, technology and innovation in Africa. The AU commissioner said that the expo is also aimed at increasing the visibility of these innovative practices in order that they can be supported, upscaled, replicated or further developed. Finally, the commissioner expressed appreciation to the Republic of Botswana for accepting to host the 2019 Innovating Education in Africa Expo.