WellNewMe shortlisted for Royal Academy of Engineering Africa prize

WellNewMe was among the 2019 shortlist for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation that was announced on the 19th of November, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, recognising the most promising entrepreneurial engineers from across sub-Saharan Africa.

The Africa Prize, which is celebrating its fifth year, is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering. It provides a unique package of support, including funding, comprehensive business training, bespoke mentoring and access to the Academy’s network of high profile, experienced engineers and business development experts.

According to Obi Igbokwe, WellNewMe is an assessment tool that uses algorithms to analyse users’ risks of contracting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension.

“Using years of experience from medical professions, research, and algorithms, the system takes data provided by individual users to predict the risks each faces from their lifestyles, genetics and environment. Users provide simple data such as family history and habits, but also supplement it with blood pressure, blood sugar and other readings”.

“It promotes the awareness and prevention of non-communicable diseases in low- and lower-middle-income countries and most vulnerable who are the most at risk and the least likely to have access to treatment.”

“Through its community based service, the platform will be accessible at local health services providers like clinics and pharmacies and within a year, its own solar-powered kiosks in underserved areas,” Igbokwe said.

The Prize selects innovators from across the continent and provides training and mentoring to help turn engineers with incredible ideas into successful entrepreneurs.

Rebecca Enonchong, Africa Prize judge and Cameroonian entrepreneur the shortlist has come to represent the most talented engineers on the continent.

“Through the Africa Prize, we have seen cutting edge technologies and world-firsts develop into businesses that manufacture locally, and drive research and development on the continent. We cannot wait to meet the new group of engineering pioneers,” she said.

Anthonia Obokoh