From Cell Phone Charging to LED Lights
Aug 31, 2009 Africa, Ghana, Innovators, Power, Technology
In an earlier post, I covered the work of a Ghana inventor named Nana Owusu Acheampong who was using D-Cells and a custom made wooden battery holder to charge cell phones. On a recent visit to Bonsaaso, a small village about 100KM south of Kumasi, the great pleasure of meeting Mr. Acheampong and seeing first hand some of the projects he has been working on.
Cheap Chinese LEDs, which are pervasive in Mali, have not yet reached this part of Ghana so Mr. Acheampong and others have started to make their own LED light arrays powered by wooden box battery holders. Asked how he came about the idea for the battery boxes, Mr. Acheampong explained that observed his radio worked that way so he “took the power out of his radio”.
I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. It was a thrill to meet someone so truly passionate and excited by his own creations. He is exactly the kind of person who with a bit of support, access to better materials and little extra electrical training could help light up a community.
LED light made from MTN advertising and LEDs purchased from Kumasi.
Used CD helps reflect the light from the LEDs.
How Mr. Acheampong lights his room. He no longer purchases kerosene he claims.
Note: Rural Africa still relies heavily on disposable D-Cells for much of its energy. They are popular for their low purchase price, however, they are expensive on a $/AH basis and environmental standpoint. Thus, the idea of creating small businesses around rechargeable D-Cells intrigues me. It seems like an obvious idea but I’ve yet to see it done. If you know of examples of where this is being attempted please let me know.
William Kamkwamba Windmill Maker - Maker Faire Africa 2009
Aug 15, 2009 Africa, Innovation, Innovators, Malawi, Power
One of the real highlights thus far at Maker Faire Africa 2009 has been the presence of William Kamkwamba. William is a remarkable young inventor from rural Malawi, who at the age of 14, built his first windmill out of scrap parts (including his father’s bike) after learning about one in a book. William’s simple message of not letting your goals be defined by constraints is inspirational and resonated particularly powerful with the other African maker’s in attendance at Maker Faire.
Expect to hear more from William this year as he is about to release a book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, which comes out September 29th. I expect it to be very popular as his is a story that particularly deserves telling.
To learn more about William and find out about his important work please visit: www.williamkamkwamba.com
Africa Ready to Code
Aug 2, 2009 Travel
I am writing this from Kisumu, Kenya. I’m here to follow up on the progress being made with the RapidResponse Pilot and to work with Dickson Ukanga, a talented young Kenyan programmer, I just hired.
It’s been about a week now since the Seacom cable has come online and according to Dickson Safaricom users are already seeing the benefit. Today, I also noticed for the first time that Mountain Dew, the drink synonomous to late night coding and considered by some code-junkies “an essential ingredient for successful computer programming“, is now available in shops at Kenya too. Coincidence? I think not. =)
What encourages me is that African programmers increasingly have access to the tools critical to compete: cheap computers, good internet, solid computer science university programs, time to code and increased inclusion to global geek culture both actual through bar camps and symbolic with Mountain Dew. Cheaper and faster Internet should also help translate into a larger market for local Internet based services critical for growing the African software industry.
I think it is time to be excited. As the barriers to entry continue to tumble, the number of really good programmers coming out of places like Nairobi, Kampala, Accra and Dakar will only increase. It will still take some time but at least but at least Africa is starting to overcome the infrastructure challenges that have choked ICT growth in Africa. It’s hard to train to compete when you are sipping through a straw. The only thing ultimately inhibiting African programmers from making their mark on a global (and local) stage is hard work and brainpower.
That’s a bet I’m willing to take.
Note:
If you are interested in finding programmers in Africa please checkout this job board at:
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