Coronavirus: How Africans are Innovating Ways to Win

The world changed in the first quarter of 2020 as the unprecedented effect of the Coronavirus and its domino effect usurped normalcy in every sector of our daily lives. Africa, the earth’s second-largest continent and one of her most populated and under-developed watched the world try to contain the deadly respiratory disease. By the time Nigeria announced her first case on the 28^th of February, 2020- the first in sub-Saharan Africa-  the virus was already termed a ‘pandemic’ by the World Health Organization.

With the fragility of her economies and the frailty of her health sector, the threat posed by the Coronavirus to Africa is ‘considerable’, according to the WHO. With over 32,000 confirmed cases as at the time of writing this article, many nations in Africa are taking steps to stem the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. While the efforts of the government to battle the pandemic has been commendable so far, there are individuals and groups who have taken it upon themselves to use design as a weapon of curbing the coronavirus. Enterprises are leveraging on innovative tech, design, and research to disseminate information, prevent the spread, and save lives. For the scope of this article, we would be examining three impressive innovations developed in Africa, by Africans, in response to this raging pandemic.

Senegal’s One Dollar Test Kits

The recognition Senegal has gotten from the invention of this genius product is disappointingly underwhelming especially if you consider the fact that the country could also be producing ventilators that could cost as low as $60. Viewed against the backdrop of an Africa continent that is ill-equipped and unprepared for this outbreak, the invention of a test kit that could be used at home is a total game-changer.

A design of researchers and students of Senegal’s Institut Pasteur de Dakar, the COVID-19 test kits which are due for release in June can produce results in 10 minutes. This innovation is in direct response to Senegal’s limited testing kits. They had about 50 at the beginning, and despite their impressive containment and management of the virus, they felt a need to use their knowledge of AIDS and the devastating Ebola to advance technology that will aid in the fight. One of the innovation’s pioneers, Dr. Amadou Sall has disclosed that they hope to mass-produce the kits to help out African countries as they continue the fight against the pandemic.

This is not the end of the flux of innovation going around Senegal at the moment as they are also planning on producing a ventilator using 3D printing. This ventilator is priced at an estimated cost of $60 compared to the $16,000 ventilator that is currently available across the continent. The world will once again hold their breathe and see just how much change the little nation can make from their tiny corner.

Lave

Lave is the brainchild of Bamigbose Adams; a furniture-maker and artisan who innovated and applied his skills to fit the clime. The importance of handwashing has continually been emphasized on all media since the outbreak of the coronavirus. While this is one of the easiest and most effective steps towards preventing contagion, the challenge of providing adequate, safe, and effective hand washing facilities in public space left a question. This question was answered brilliantly by Bamigbose Adams, who took it upon himself to convert drums to washing hand basins. The result of this idea is a mobile, eco-friendly, and effective innovation that has the potential to save thousands of lives in Lagos State; Nigeria’s most popular and populous state.

A completely handmade process, Adams converts used drums into hand washing basins that can be set up as a temporary fixture in places of high population densities. Adams targets malls, restaurants, schools, and other places with considerable people traffic. From the Palms to Shoprite, In less than two months, Adams has installed his product in some of Lagos’ most popular landmarks. In fact, the Lave 2.0 is an upgrade that enhances an infrared controlled switch for the taps so that people would not need to touch it the installation while washing their hands.

The Coronavirus Monster

Conflicted on how to explain to his 5-year old son the impact of the coronavirus, why he should stay home, and why he should always wash his hands, celebrated Nigerian Filmmaker, Niyi Akinmolayan decided to create an animated coronavirus monster as a deterrent.

The short animation features siblings, Funke, and Habeeb. Habeeb, bored by the ‘unnecessary’ need to stay indoors was stepping out to play football when Funke accosted him and outlined to him the dangers of bringing the Coronavirus home. Some of the things he would lose were movie privileges and jollof rice, also there is the off chance that he’s eaten by the scary, green, and evil-looking Coronavirus Monster.

The animation has caused quite a stir and has been a sensational method of informing kids and adults alike about the basics of preventing the coronavirus. It has been translated to the three major Nigerian dialects and also, French, Swahili, Mandarin, Portuguese and other languages. It has also appeared in National televisions across the world. Besides this, Niyi and his team at Anthills Studios also made use of Infographics to demystify a lot of information concerning the virus. This are just a few of the innovative ways Africans are fighting the coronavirus.

This instinctive resort to design is a character that should be embedded in the African story too. Even when there is no emergency, there is a need to cultivate a culture of curiosity and a will towards advancement.