A Cameroonian innovative agricultural technology startup, AGRICFRESH, which helps producers prevent post-production losses, has won the first prize of the prestigious “Blue Star Award”. It is one of four categories of the maiden “Blue Tech Challenge” competition organised by incumbent telecoms operator, Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL).
The final of the inaugural edition of the competition took place in Yaounde on Wednesday October 2, 2024 during a ceremony chaired by the General Manager of CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday Achidi.
“We are here to honour innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial skills of Cameroonian youths,” the CAMTEL boss said in her opening remarks at the ceremony.
The competition that rewards excellence and the most innovative ideas, initiatives, and inventions by young Cameroonians is part of year-long activities to mark CAMTEL’s silver jubilee celebration launched last year.
AGRICFRESH is one of eight most innovative projects that were declared winners from a list of 30 finalists across four different categories.
Christian Essame, Co-Founder of the Kmer Start-up Hub, an independent firm that managed the selection process, said projects presented by the finalists were unique from the lot of submissions received.
During the ceremony, the finalists pitched their projects to a panel of judges headed by the Technical Adviser Number One to the General Manager of CAMTEL, Francis Ottou, with representatives from government ministries and partner organisations.
After what the president of the jury described as a “free, fair and transparent” selection process, eight were declared winners; best three each in the tech startup and innovation by an academic institution categories and first each in best tech startup addressing women’s problems and the best technological innovation for persons with disabilities or led by a disabled person.
AGRICFRESH was ranked first in the “Blue Star Award” category that rewards technology startup based in Cameroon and run by a Cameroonian.
“Our solution allows farmers of perishable crops like tomatoes to store them in a humid environment for 23 days instead of the five days when they get rot. This allows farmers to get connected with potential buyers and also negotiate better prices, thus reducing food waste and maximizing profits,” said Afopezi Anua-Gueleh Moses, promoter of the startup.
Other projects in the category that seduced the jury include MENDO COTI of Ngbwa Ngbwa Hugues Cédric and TSAF of Kenfac David.
Ngaoundere University Institute of Technology student, Nkwambi Treasure Bah emerged first in the “Blue Academic Innovation Award” category with his project E-FARM. The award honours the best project backed by a university or higher institution of learning, developed by students, researchers or PhD candidates, with a strong potential for profitability or job-creation.
Other projects that caught the attention of the jury in the category include CommuneConnect of Kombou Komga Murielle Nahomy, a student of PK Fokam 48 Institute and Input Automatic Transfer Switch with loT and Data Logging Features of Megnemo Johan Wirdzeyii, student at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) of the University of Buea (UB).
With her SolarSync project, Grace Megaptech Djambou won the “Blue Tech Women Award” that rewards the startup with the best technological project addressing a challenge faced by women.
LINA, a tech startup that assists visually impaired persons in mobility, won the “Handi Blue Award”, which rewards projects by a person with disabilities or addresses a challenge faced by people with disabilities, through the “Tech Is the Bridge” concept. According to the promoter of the startup, Hessack Rayan, the “made in Cameroon smart eyeglasses” contains a camera that captures objects, processes – including image type and distance, and then transmits the information to the user in audio format.
The winners will officially receive their cheques during the closing ceremony of CAMTEL’s 25th anniversary celebrations later this month.
