The Awakened Giant

Since Africa reported its first COVID-19 case, we have seen drastic changes in our way of life. The virus has had a global effect on economies,industries and social life at large. The hospitality sector, sports, transportation; just to mention a few.

The virus has affected almost every country in the world; resulting in a global shortage of medical supplies and equipment to fight the virus. Due to the rapid increase in cases across the world; ventilators, face masks and personal protective equipment for doctors have been on high demand to fight this respiratory virus.

“We have to be impatient with moving Africa forward” Akinwumi Ayodeji

Most of the eastern and western countries expected Africa to be entirely dependent on them during this pandemic.However, it is becoming evident that countries that had been brainwashed docile; especially in Africa; are having a new awakening. They are rediscovering, inventing and innovating ways and means to meet the demands for fighting the virus. A skill that had long been forgotten:Creating. The lack thereof had put us at the mercy of China and the west; a system that made us mere consumers and not producers.

Now that we are woke, a long lost skill is germinating once again:

• Africans are inventing mobile tech solutions to help curb the pandemic.
• Manufacturing our own COVID-19 test kits that work.
• Innovating and building our own ventilators (the case of Kenyatta University and others in Kenya)
• Producing affordable face masks enough to cater for everyone in Africa.
• Manufacturing our own ICU beds.
• Making solar-powered water pumps to help people maintain hygiene through washing hands regularly.
• Safer ways of washing hands are being developed.For instance the 9 yr old in Kenya pictured below who invented a water and soap dispenser.

We are responding to this pandemic in a way that the world did not expect.Africa has turned to itself for solutions and it is working. COVID-19 will make African countries more independent. As the western and eastern countries reopen their factories after the pandemic,their expectations will not be met. There is a new fire in Africa.We are ready.

WE ARE BREAKING THE SHACKLES: LEAVING EGYPT AND WE ARE NOT TURNING BACK.

Africans are coming up with solutions to the challenges we encounter.This shows that everything is possible.We are almost getting there; we are rising, we have an awakening.

The zeal is there and so is the talent.Impact Africa Network is connecting this talent to the innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities.GO!GO! Africa!