Fufu processing machine among African innovations for the future

Fufu is a traditional staple eaten all over Sub-Saharan Africa – dishes are usually made from yams or cassava, sometimes combined with plantains.

Preparing fufu involves pounding the boiled crops into a dough-like consistency, which involves vigorous stirring until the fufu is thick and smooth.

Togolese innovator, Logou Minsob, has designed a device to replace the mortar and pestles used in preparing the popular fufu dish.

The “FOUFOUMIX” is a small electrical food processor that generates discreet, quick and hygienic fufu in 8 minutes, substantially reducing the amount of time needed to prepare the dish, while also enhancing the hygienic conditions during production.

Logou's innovation is among ten African innovators announced finalists of the prestigious Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2014, organised by The African Innovation Foundation (AIF).

Other finalists include Ashley Uys (South Africa) – OculusID Impairment Screening; Daniel Gitau Thairu (Kenya) – Domestic Waste Biogas System; Elise Rasel Cloete (South Africa) – GMP Traceability Management Software CC; Joshua Okello (Kenya) – WinSenga; Dr. Nicolaas Duneas (South Africa) – Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis OBM™); Maman Abdou Kane (Niger) – Horticultural tele irrigation; Melesse Temesgen (Ethiopia) – Aybar BBM; Sulaiman Bolarinde Famro (Nigeria) – Farmking Mobile Multi-crop Processor; and Viness Pillay (South Africa) – WaferMatTM.

The innovators have created practical solutions to some of the continent's most intractable problems, from a domestic waste biogas system to a wafer matrix for paediatric antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment. Chosen from almost 700 applications from 42 countries, the finalists for the IPA 2014 represent Africans' potential to address the challenges that are unique to the continent.

The winners of the IPA 2014 will be announced at an awards ceremony on 5 May in Abuja, Nigeria, where keynote speaker, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's Minister of finance, will highlight the importance of innovation to unlock Africa's potential for sustainable development and economic growth.

The winner will receive US$100,000 for the best innovation based on marketability, originality, scalability, social impact and clear business potential. A runner up will receive US$25,000 for the best commercial potential and another winner will receive US$25,000 as a special prize for innovation with the highest social impact.

Prior to the awards ceremony, a roundtable featuring innovation experts will take place, to address the theme “A Path to Building Industrial Nation Skillsets in Africa”.

“As global leaders gather for the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa to discuss approaches to inclusive growth and job creation, the IPA 2014 innovators demonstrate that the best way to achieve equitable economic growth for all Africans is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, founder of the African Innovation Foundation and the IPA.

The Awards has been the pinnacle showcase event for African innovation since 2012. The Foundation believes that the best solutions to the challenges Africans face on a daily basis can and will come from Africans themselves and innovation is the key.

The IPA selection committee represents private equity investors, seed funders, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, innovation catalysts and development leaders who are looking for ideas that move Africa forward.

The prize also encourages private equity investors, government and development leaders to invest across sectors and build a climate that fuels Africa's economic growth.