Africa Rising: The Little Unknown Ones Making The Huge Difference In Africa – Alexander Thandi Ubani

One of the African teenagers who built a plane

Some years back, it would have been practically impossible to believe that a group of African teenagers can successfully build a plane in 10 days – I mean 10 damn days.

Surprisingly, that feat has been achieved by 20 talented African teenagers from South Africa who built a four-seater, single propeller airplane from scratch with the financial help of a non-governmental organization called, U-Dream Global. The project was completed in June 2019.

Not just that, the plane piloted by a 17-year-old Megan Werner successfully made its first trip from Cape Town to Cairo, Egypt.The teenagers also visited Namibia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Tanzania and Uganda, covering 12,000km (7,455 mile) to give inspiration to other teenagers and show them that dreams can come to reality. This great feat was featured by BBC Africa.

Indeed, Africa is finally waking up to its potential after many centuries neck deep in the gutters of backwardness. From South Africa to Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt and many more, African stars are rising to take their positions on the world stage.

These African innovators are gradually making bold statements on the world stage even though most have been starved of local and international media coverage which is essential if they are to attract the right investors. Sadly, most international media organizations with a wide reach do not have a place to showcase these amazing African talents.

The likes of Samuel Karimbo from Kenya who invented a solar car that is eco-friendly and runs on rechargeable batteries; Gabriel Emmanuel, a Nigerian who developed the world’s first AI portal that can translate over 2,000 African languages; Silas Adekunle, a young Nigerian with a first-class degree in Robotics from the University of West England who invented, MekaMon – the world’s first intelligent gaming robot that has now secured $10 million in funding and an exclusive sales deals with Apple stores; Kelvin Doe, Betelhem Dessie, Sarah Diouf, Elvis Chidera, Oluwatobi Akinpelu, Emmanuel Owobu, Kisito Gamene, Rose Funja, Jamila Abass, Kennedy Nnaji, Chinonso Okoye, Joel Oyeyinka Popoola, Subomi Owo-Odusi, Chinedu Echeruo, Tomisin Ogunnubi, Egie Jude Akede, Rotimi David Adegbiji, Oluwatunmise David Ayeni, Oscar Ekponimo are just a notable few African inventors making exploits in a world that has proved quite unfavourable to them.

All what these talented young innovators need is a platform on the international stage to showcase their talents to the world and secure needed funds to take their innovations to the next level.

These young African inventors are the future as they have in one way or the other through their innovations continued to improve, impact and affect lives positively.

From innovative spirit to entrepreneurial guts, there is a new breed of millennial African youths making exploits and changing lives in a way never seen before.

While some are writing their names on the sand of history as outstanding inventors, others are changing lives through businesses that provide employment opportunities helping solve the herculean unemployment challenges facing numerous African countries.

If I start to mention names of African entrepreneurs who have successfully carved a niche for themselves, making millions of dollars from successful brands they have created, their businesses and how they started from nothing to establish great business empires, the list will be inexhaustible. I will try to mention but a few.

From Linda Ikeji, founder of Linda ikeji's blog & TV to Issam Chleuh, CEO of Africa impact Group; Sangu Delle, founder of Golden Palms Investment; Ally Edha Awadh, founder of Lake Oil Group; Isaac Oboth, founder of Media256; Elo Umeh, founder of Terragon Group; Uche Pedro, founder Bella Naija; Seun Osewa, owner of Nairaland; Ayodeji Adewunmi, Opeyemi Awoyemi and Olalekan Olude – all co-founders of Jobberman; Etop Ikpe, founder of Cars45; Oluwatobi Ajayi, owner of Nord Automobiles Limited; Abubakar Falalu, CEO of Falgates; Onyeka Akumah, founder of Farmcrowdy; Adii Pienaar, co-founder of Woothemes; Nick Kaoma, founder of Head Honcho Clothing; Stephen Sembuya, CEO of Pink Food Industries; Clariisse Iribagiza, founder of Hehe Ltd; Julie Alexander Fourie, founder of iFix; Ronald Shah, founder of Kronex Capital Ltd, the list goes on and on.

These young African entrepreneurs under-40 who own and run multi-million dollar businesses have made a success out of it, employing thousands and changing lives in a more positive way.

These brands have attained international recognition. Africa is the future. With a population of over 1.3 billion people according to data from worldmeters, it is obvious that this vast continent is the next hub for future businesses and an investment prospect to explore. Africa is also a choice destination for many who want to revel in the splendour of nature and its many wonders. Countries like Rwanda, Namibia, Tanzania,  South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique are all blessed with magnificent nature wonders.

The time has come to change the narrative and youths like myself are staging a comeback with our pens, inventions and businesses. The future is Africa.

Alexander Thandi Ubani writes from Lagos.

Twitter: @thandiubani