Using Charcoal

Allwell Okpi in 234Next reports on the increasing use of charcoal as a domestic fuel:

...she started using charcoal stove, popularly known as coal pot, because kerosene became costly and scarce. Mrs. Odia said she would remain ever grateful tor her grandmother for introducing her to coal stove. She is one of the many Lagos residents who have found in the use of charcoal stove, a cheaper and probably more efficient way of cooking their food. Many caterers, food vendors, especially the small restaurants and bukas, use charcoal stove.

Questions of sustainable wood supplies are raised by this trend as well as the absence of a related charcoal briquetting industry.
photo courtesy of 234Next

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The World Wants to Know

Appfrica reports on The World Wants to know(WW2K) a "data visualization suite of questions being asked by rural populations around the globe.":

It’s an exercise in data visualization and offers insight as to the types of information these populations are interested in. Before you ask what the answers are, we do give them to the callers but to protect their identities as well as the interests of our pilot partners, that information (unfortunately) cannot be shared...The WW2K application works by querying a server located at my office in Uganda which is currently on a 192kbps connection with spotty power

More here

Building Bike Trailers-Zambikes

Zambikes bicycle trailer initiative:

via Nubian Cheetah

Shintsha Project

"...Shintsha means “change” and this project is unique in that it focuses on developing furniture manufacturing skills with a new product in mind-furniture that can fit into smaller spaces and change the way you use space..."-website

Biogas Technologies

Biogas Technologies provides "appropriate waste management systems that process organic waste into useful energy and nitrogen-rich plant fertilizer". Other services include:
-The design and manufacture manometers and Biogas stoves.
-Installation of Biogas Storage Ballons

Vesta Healthcare

"...Vesta Healthcare Partners is a medical professional services firm whose aim is to address and solve healthcare issues facing the healthcare sector in low and medium income economies of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean..."
Current projects include:
-Emergency Healthcare facility for Sonavest
-an "Acute Care Centre" for the Nigerian Army
via NigeriaHealthWatch

Inkanyiso Sustainable Systems

Inkanyiso Sustainable Systems:

...projects range from solar hot water heaters, bio-digester and solar cookers, to local renewable energy, grey water and community agricultural systems. Their approach is geared toward creating appropriate combinations of these technologies to provide integrated solutions to a community's energy and water needs...-WorldChanging

Blogging Naija Food

A welcome addition to the foodie landscape-Alhaji's Groove "El Toro Negro":

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire

Hat tip Agege Labs
Image courtesy of "El Toro Negro" Jollof with Herb Baked Chicken and Fried Plantain

Home Automation-Simeon Mwaura

KenyaCitizenTv reports:

The mobile revolution has certainly made our lives much easier from simple communication to complex banking transactions. But there is one Kenyan innovator who is seeking to stretch this mobile revolution even further. How about using your phone to make tea from the comfort of your couch? One Simeon Mwaura thinks it is not only possible, but practical.

via Afrigadget

Kenneth Shofela Coker

African Digital Art interviews Kenneth Shofela Coker:

You have a multimedia portfolio including character modeling, can you please walk us through the creation of a character, what is your process in developing each character?
Research is probably where I have the most fun surprisingly. Like I said, most of my characters and stories are African or related to Yoruba Mythology so gathering information on the subject matter is usually challenging, which is something about African culture that pains me. For instance, most African history is decently documented in the colonial era but is quite sketchy before that period, especially in terms of imagery. However, I sometimes believe it can be a boon, because I get to venture outside the strict realm of historical fact. My process usually starts off with a story for the character that aids the sketch with charcoal, ink or graphite, then scanned in to Photoshop to tweak and add color and certian details. I build a rough model in 3ds Max, unwrap the UVs and export to Zbrush.

More here.
via Black Looks

Reddington Hospital

234Next reports on Reddington Hospital where the first in-country coronary angioplasty and stenting procedure was performed:

Two patients are recuperating in the intensive care unit of the Reddington Hospital, , following the first coronary angioplasty and stenting procedure performed in Nigeria on Monday.The procedure, which was said to be successful, involves opening up the arteries (tiny pipes that transport blood in the heart), which have been blocked as a result of the high cholesterol in the blood, using what is called a stent.The operation was carried out by a team led by Adeyemi Johnson,who returned to Nigeria after practising in the United States for over 25 years. This computerised procedure, according to Dr. Johnson, is more technical than open heart surgery or correcting a hole in the heart.

More here.

TechBridgeWorld-Project Kane

From the site of TechBridgeWorld a supporter of Maker Faire Africa:

Central to our vision is encouraging locally suitable and locally sustainable technology solutions by adhering to each community's vision of progress, thus preserving their ownership of the benefits and consequences of the realized development.Learn about the related Project Kane initiative here:

Hufra-Compu-Techs

A 'maker' company "...Hufra-Compu-Techs is a computer-aided design;computer-aided manufacturing and computer numerically controlled machine tools services provider.They design, manufacture, service/repair and recondition machines and machine parts for the mining, automotive, agricultural sectors and large-lot manufacturing industries using advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies..."-website
For added information see their blog and related videos below:

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eNowNow Traffic Updates

Hash reports on a new sms traffic service-eNowNow-for Lagos.How does it work?:

Armed with a mobile phone, a team of 4-6 motorcyclists ride to different, pre-designate parts of the city. They take pictures of the current traffic conditions and MMS that image to the central office. That image is then geolocated and given a score of “slow”, “moving” or “free”. Anyone who has signed up for SMS or email alerts is then sent a message with the traffic update.

More here.

A Blossoming of African Theatre

The Independent's Andrew Johnson reports on the increasing prominence and success of award winning African productions, various industry commentators opine:

"African theatre is very eclectic and very narrative driven, which I think appeals to audiences. Here it's very much more reflective and intellectual," states Nick KentWhile Yvette Hutchison thinks that "European theatre became very intellectual and rational after the Enlightenment. African theatre remains spiritual and metaphysical. There is also less formality – the audience expects to contribute."-. In conclusion Mark Dornford-May talks about "a relief after the "politeness" found in European theatre."...[continue reading]

Shows to watch out for include:
-Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka
-Yiimimangaliso, by the South African theatre company Isango Portobello
-Karoo Moose
-Koos Sas: Last Bushman of Montagu
-The Observer
-Lost in the Stars
-Iya-lle (The First Wife)

We seem to be in the midst of an emerging self reinforcing cultural dynamic, ranging across the arts from film and music to the visual arts, dance and beyond

Image: Iya-lle(The First Wife)

Sustainable Education-Nik Kafka of Teach a man to Fish

From the Teachamantofish website an overview with the founder Nik Kafka and others:

Sign up for the 2009 conference here.

SolarNetOne

In IBM Developerworks:

SolarNetOne can deploy a turnkey Internet hotspot—conditioned, renewable power; computers; WiFi; and an uplink—anywhere the sun shines. According to Scott Johnson, founder and lead engineer of the project:[SolarNetOne was designed] to go places where there was no existing power infrastructure in place. It's excellent in places where the grid is unreliable or disabled."

More here.

Limbe Labs

Agege Labs reports:

Limbe Labs is based on Y-combinator / Appfrica model–identify good ideas, mentor, give seed funding and develop a sustainable business.

The guys also hope to develop a strong IT community by organising BarCamps which will bring together local developers and entrepreneurs to provide local solutions.

Mecene Investment

Mecene Investment is a Private Equity Advisory Firm that specializes in socially responsible investments in Africa...The company draws on its successful private equity experience in African microfinance industry to promote equity and debt investments in industries that provide high social, environmental and developmental impact-company website

Conserving the Fluted Pumpkin-S. Adesola Ajayi

From a Biodiversity report:

The Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) is one of the most popular vegetables in west Africa. Seeds, shoots, stems and leaves, to say nothing of the starchy flesh, are common and sought-after items of the diet, particularly valued because they are highly nutritious. The species is an income earner for many subsistence farmers, and is an important component of cross-border trade among Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin Republic. Now, thanks to research by S. Adesola Ajayi, of the Seed Science Laboratory at Obafemi University in Nigeria, its conservation has become a little easier.

More here.
photo courtesy of hallock35 via flickr

Solarix's 'Sustainer'

In an interview Bas Vlugt of Africa Sustainable Energy asks the founder of Solarix,Jan Hein Hoitsma about the 'Sustainer' solution:

'The Sustainer is a containerised installation which can be used in rural areas to convert oil-bearing crops and seeds into edible oil and biodiesel. The seeds are stored in an integrated bunker which feeds the oil press. After the oil has been extracted, it is then refined into edible oil or it can be used as raw material for the biodiesel process. The 'press cake' by-product can be used as livestock feed. Many nuts have shells/husks which can be used as fuel for cooking. An integrated tank unit allows for the biodiesel to be directly dispensed into, for instance, diesel vehicles. The Sustainer is fitted with 4 wind turbines and its side panels consist of foldable solar panels which generate electricity. The electricity can be supplied directly to the grid or can be stored/buffered in a battery pack which can, for instance, provide electricity in the evenings or at night...[continue reading] Watch related video here:

via Nubian Cheetah

New SMS Services in Uganda from Grameen, Google & MTN

Hash reports:

Grameen Foundation’s AppLab has released a new suite of mobile phone applications developed in Uganda, using Google SMS Search and in partnership with MTN Uganda as the mobile operator. The services include:
-Farmer’s Friend: a searchable database with both agricultural advice and targeted weather forecasts
-Health Tips: provides sexual and reproductive health information
-Clinic Finder: helps locate nearby health clinics and their services
-Google Trader: matches buyers and sellers of agricultural produce and commodities as well as other products. Local buyers and sellers, such as small-holder farmers, are able to broaden their trading networks and reduce their transaction costs. (known locally as “Akatale SMS”)

More Here
Watch associated video here:

Comaco

COMACO is a model for rural development that supports natural resource management. It operates through a community-owned trading centre... Community residents benefit from this trading centre by receiving high market value for goods they produce and having access to affordable farmer inputs and improved farming skills on the condition that they adopt land use practices that help conserve their area's natural resources-company website

Their ItsWild product range include:
-Chalimbana peanut butter
-Luangwa valley honey
-Chama rice

Contemporized Fashion

African Fashion loosens its ethnic constraints-African Fashion Week:

Image: Taibo Bacar and a piece from his collection.
via BBC

M’Afrique by Moroso

Patrizia Moroso discusses the M’Afrique event by Moroso

...multifaceted, modern Africa deserves to be known and sustained for the originality of the creative languages with which it enriches global culture. The African continent is extraordinarily rich in creativity, materials and ideas that are sources of inspiration and nourishment for us. When applied to design, they engender products which exude tradition and modernity, innovation and history, form and beauty...

Image:the making of Madame Dakar by Bibi Seck and Ayse Birse
More here

Africa Could Feed and Fuel the World

In Appfrica:

Two recent articles point to the scientific realities of the African continent and the potential it has for tremendously enhancing the sustainability of the growing world population. The first, published last year argues that the vastly uninhabited regions of the northern continent where the Sahara desert stretches, could be used to build massive solar farms that could theoretically power the whole planet. The second, published more recently suggests that Africa could also feed most of the worlds population with it’s vast stretches of fertile soil and uninhabited land...[continue reading]

Classifying Bananas-Margaret Onyango

In Biodiversity:

Apple bananas produce small fruits (less than 15 cm long) that are gaining favour in East African and European markets. But the fruits on the market vary both in quality and in their appeal to consumers. That is because the Apple group is made up of more than a dozen closely related varieties—some of which may be one and the same despite having different names, while others may be different varieties even though they bear the same name. Sorting out the characteristics of each variety, as Onyango plans to do, will help the farmers to offer a more reliable product

More here.

DatAgro

From Datadyne, DatAgro:

...allows rural farming cooperatives in Latin America, beginning with Chile, to define the types of information most critical to their lives and livelihoods and receive it via text messages...The system, which uses MIP technology created by DataDyne.org ( designed to work even over slow, less-than-GPRS networks, by using the latest techniques in data compression/decompression to transmit and receive by enhanced SMS. This aspect of the project, by allowing viewing of news and information on commonly used cell phones, will enormously expand the population able to benefit from the system...[continue reading]

via MobileActive

Backyard Metal Casting

Make points us to a treasure trove on casting.An answer to a question on melting metal is answered thus:

Melting metal is simple and if you are good at building things then you'll definitly have no trouble building a furnace. Most people say to start with a charcoal burning furnace...because it is dead simple to use. But people who end up really enjoying metalcasting tend to advance toward a more convenient fuel such as propane.

More here.

AutoFabbing

Robyn Dixon reporting in the LA Times highlights dexterous Automobile fabbers:

Somewhere, a relentless tinny hammering rises. Shrieks of grinding metal shatter the air. A curlicue of acrid smoke spirals lazily as a worker melts a plastic Japanese bumper using a heated chisel, smoothing the surface as carefully as a mother frosting a birthday cake.

More here.
via Agege Labs
photo courtesy of Robyn Dixon

Fablab Kenya

The seeding process continues, FabLab Kenya launches:

...it will empower individuals to create smart devices for themselves. These devices can be tailored to local or personal needs in ways that are practical and economical...[continue reading]

via Nubian Cheetah