The shortlist for the 2020 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, run by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, was announced, in Cape Town, on Wednesday, recognising ambitious African innovators who are developing scalable engineering solutions to local challenges.

This year’s shortlist includes the creators of a smart library on wheels, a low-cost digital microscope to speed up cervical cancer diagnosis, bamboo bicycles made from recycled parts, and two innovations made from invasive water hyacinth plants – an animal feed and a cooking fuel.

The shortlist represents six countries, including, for the first time, Malawi. Six of the 16-strong shortlist are female innovators.

Launched by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2014, the yearly Africa Prize provides commercialisation support to the innovators who are transforming their local communities.

The prize has a record of identifying engineering entrepreneurs with significant potential, endorsing those who, with the support of the prize, have gone on to achieve greater commercial success and social impact.

Alumni of the prize are projected to impact more than three-million lives in the next five years and have already created more than 1 500 jobs and raised more than $14-million in grants and equity.

A package of support will be provided to the shortlisted candidates over the next eight months to help them accelerate their businesses.

The shortlisted candidates will have access to comprehensive and tailored business training, bespoke mentoring, funding and access to the Academy’s network of high-profile, experienced engineers and business experts in the UK and across Africa.

Following this period of support, four finalists will be selected and invited to pitch their improved innovations and business plans to the judges and a live audience.

The winner receives £25 000 and the three runners-up receive £10 000 each.