Presco Palm, Nigeria

The publicly ownedPresco Palm Plc "...is a fully integrated agro-industrial establishment with oil palm plantations, palm oil mill, palm kernel crushing plant and vegetable oil refining plant. It is at present the only one of such in West Africa..."it"...specialises in the cultivation of oil palm and in the extraction, refining and fractionation of crude oil into finished products...Presco supplies speciality fats and oils of outstanding quality on customer's specification and assures a reliability of supply of its products the whole year round, thanks to the integration of the entire production cycle in one company..." Its recent organic certification will enable the company to "...produce, process and refine organic palm products..."for export to the European community,Palm News.

New Rice for Africa, NERICA

Developed by Monty Jones the awardwinning"...NERICA is a technology from Africa for Africa. It is perfectly adapted to the harsh growing environment and low-input conditions of upland rice ecologies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where smallholder farmers lack the means to irrigate and apply chemical fertilizers or pesticides..." In addition "...Nerica lines yield around 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes of rice per hectare, compared with an average of only one tonne or less for traditional African varieties. And, with good land preparation and application of fertilisers, yields may be doubled. Tolerance to weeds, pests and diseases has also been retained in the Nerica varieties, and they mature in only half the time (90 days) of traditional varieties so that farmers can grow a second crop, such as beans, which increases soil fertility and provide valuable food during the 'hunger' season...",New Agriculturist.

EACOSS, East African Center for Open Source Software

The open source movement's successes in breaching the citadels of proprietary software have been well documented.Its impact on software and overall intellectual property development in the developing world is lesser known. The effectiveness of open-source as an indigenous technology multiplier was covered earlier,hopefully the East African Center for Open Source software (EACOSS) will help bolster this trend.

Solar Light Company Ltd. Ghana

Mawuli Tse's Solar Light Company Ltd. is practical proof of his argument on the need to use renewables in Africa. His company perceives itself as an energy solutions company "...Solar Light goes beyond designing and installing a solar system. We advise customers to replace energy-wasting lights and other appliances with cost-effective energy saving devices, and even offer suggestions to remodel customers' homes to take full advantage of natural cooling and lighting...offers complete solutions to its customers and is a one-stop shop for small-scale electrification needs. Solar Light provides energy efficient appliances that would make the solar home or office worth the capital investment..."

Taftaf, Senegal

"...TafTaf is a... women-led, online community of Senegalese artisans who are putting the commerce opportunities of the World Wide Web to work. Not only do they sell locally-produced, ethnic art, but they provide cultural information about the communities and the customs from which the products emerge. Nearly 60 artisans currently benefit from this initiative...",APC.org.
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Female Inventors & Innovators Awards,Nigeria

Bola Olabisi is the founder of GWIIN the initiator of the Female Inventors & Innovators Awards,Nigeria.The Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network is "...a global network that has the desire to increase the number of innovative women embracing enterprise..."Women are the world’s natural innovators," says Bola Olabisi... “We solve problems we find - we do not find problems to solve.” Accordingly, many female-run businesses are filling gaps in product or service markets that are close to their experience, such as the baby, childcare and domestic markets. This does not mean that these women lack the ability to innovate, just that their innovations are not as readily acknowledged as they should be. Despite this, their ideas can often have huge market potential that can be a threat to existing players...",Financial Times.
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Owerri Digital Village

Established by the"... Youth for technology foundation the Owerri Digital village is a community technology and learning center in Eastern Nigeria..."among its goals are "...to create enriched learning communities by providing disadvantaged youth in rural areas with the technology, educational tools and resources they need to unlock their potential....",TakingItglobal. Founded by Njideka Ugwuegbu Harry "...The Youth for Technology Foundation, has been dedicated to the development of Nigerian youth and their communities. YTF implements community-based technology programs that help youth develop a passion for technology and an understanding of how it can enhance their lives and improve their local communities. YTF takes a local approach to addressing the challenges that Nigerian youth face relative to their peers in the global digital economy. YTF starts with understanding the needs of an underserved community and then focuses on how technology resources adapted to cultural and social needs and access can assist the community with its drive towards self sustainment, where villagers are able to use the skills acquired at the YTF digital villages to improve their lives and create jobs..."Unites.Org.
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African Human Genome Initiative

"...The Africa Genome Initiative is a project of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) of South Africa. Its goal is to examine the historical, ethical, legal, biomedical, and biotechnological implications of the international Human Genome Project for research and development in Africa. The sequencing of the human genome has enormous implications for Africa; it is essential that Africa's scientists, scholars, and civil society take full part in the Human Genome Project..."Partnership For Higher Education in Africa.
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Mongozo, Exotic Beers

Mongozo, exotic beers are the brainchild of the late Henrique Kabia, "...Mongozo palm contains 7% alcohol and is made from the African palm nut. It is the modern version of traditional beer from Angola. Mongozo banana is a tropical fruit beer, brewed according to an old tradition that comes from the Massai, who live in East Africa. It contains 4.8% alcohol. It has a Max Havelaar quality mark..."Beer & Health. His successful reinterpretation of the traditional Mongozo beer should be emulated by those seeking wider markets for their products.
Also covered at Worldchanging
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Kenital Solar Energy ,Kenya

Kenital characterises their role as"... to elevate the living standards of people by providing sustainable power solutions with reliable designs and new low-cost alternative energy solutions. they specialize in renewable energy systems such as solar, wind and power-backup systems..."
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LandNet, Africa

"...LandNet AFRICA is a regional (Africa-wide) interactive network intended to facilitate active networking on land issues by both governments and civil society, including practitioners, scholars and policy makers at national, sub-regional and regional (i.e. continent wide) levels...to build an enabling environment for the formulation and implementation of people-centred land policies, laws and structures necessary for the eradication of poverty and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in Africa..."
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KASSK -Spices & Herbs, Ethiopia

KASSK Spices and Herbs specializes in producing spice extracts, oleoresin and essential oils from locally grown spices and aromatic plants"...The factory produces paprika, capsicum and ginger oleoresins for export, and powder pepper and chilli for the local market..." Unido.
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