Unveiling groundbreaking health and environmental innovations at Fuel Africa 2024
The recent conclusion of the Fuel Africa 2024 conference in Kenya marked a significant leap forward in merging cutting-edge healthcare technologies with sustainable environmental solutions on the African continent. Spearheaded by Futurize, this pioneering initiative is poised to revolutionise the region’s healthcare landscape.
By addressing both immediate healthcare needs and long-term resilience strategies, the programme showcased at Fuel Africa 2024 promises to fortify Africa’s healthcare systems while simultaneously combating the challenges posed by climate change. Powered by collaborative efforts from AstraZeneca (through the A. Catalyst Network) and Bristol Myers Squibb, this endeavour represents a bold step toward a healthier and more sustainable future for all Africans.
Fuel Africa 2024 enjoyed widespread support, with participation by 22 leading universities from 12 countries bringing together 1 200 students and professionals in 95 teams – combining their intellect to tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges. The conference embraced a spectrum of themes from disease detection and management to enhancing healthcare accessibility and climate resilience. It consequently marks a significant stride toward holistic healthcare solutions combined with environmental sustainability endeavours.
The programme’s highlights include over 30 hours of tailored learning experiences including masterclasses, workshops and mentoring sessions. At the end of the virtual demo day, three pioneering teams were granted pre-seed funding and they committed to ongoing mentorship in order to propel their innovative solutions toward implementation.
Among the winning innovations proceeding to the FuturizeU Incubator are:
- Tulivu.AI – a revolutionary wearable device for expectant mothers, enabling early detection of prenatal complications.
- SOTE.AI – an innovative diagnostic and treatment guidance system powered by AI algorithms to combat hepatocellular carcinoma.
- MedLab Diagnostics – a groundbreaking diagnostic tool leveraging serological markers and AI for early detection of cervical cancer.
Deepak Arora, country president of the African Cluster at AstraZeneca, says: “Fuel Africa 2024 embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that is essential for driving positive change in healthcare across Africa. We are proud to support initiatives that leverage technology to address critical healthcare challenges while promoting environmental sustainability.”
Rhea Singhla, CEO of Futurize, expresses her excitement: “At Futurize, we’re excited to pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable Africa. By integrating cutting-edge healthcare innovations with strategies to address climate challenges, Fuel Africa 2024 is laying the groundwork for positive transformation. However, our commitment doesn’t end with the programme’s conclusion. Through the FuturizeU Incubator, we will continue to nurture these innovative projects to ensure they make the greatest impact possible.”
Looking to the future, participants can apply for the FuturizeU Incubator programme before 15 June 2024. This initiative aims to nurture and support innovative projects with mentorship, funding and networking opportunities, ensuring their maximum impact in the market and building the next generation of startups.
