Diary for young STEM Pioneers – Engineering Pioneers

Welcome to Episode 6 where I go heads on with Dr. Tayo on some relevent topics to business and grassroots Africa.

Tayo is leading digital strategies and advising several big players in the industry when it comes to digital transformation programs. Through his global role to strategically drive the design, development, launch, and continual support and improvement of Digital Experience (DXP) and VFunds Platform he has seen through numerous digital roadmaps. Right now he is the Consultant and director of We accelerate.

We spoke about what it really means to be digital for corporates and also for grassroots in Africa – we later dived into how to be digital and what Artificial Intelligence means for the motherland Africa.

What I really loved is when we talked about how to gain knowledge about a continent like Africa that is mostly misunderstood and hence where copy pasting of solutions is literally copy pasting one to one – without great adaptation to the landscape. Yes, we went though one of the deadliest stereotypes of Nigeria. Find out which one and how you can learn more about the continent and its people.

If you are looking to go digital or grow your business through technology – this one is for you !

welcome to the Deep Conversations On What Digitalisation Really Means And What You Should Know Abut Nigeria With Dr.Tayo Abinusawa

Meet one of the most amazing and determined person I have met to date. Raphaels journey was never straight line – however his story is worth a lot of insights and lessons for young people. Was honoured to share his story and discuss some tips for young professionals looking to step into the right career path. With so many young people sitting at home with a Graduate degree – listening to Raphael will get you pumped to get out of that comfort and array of excuses.

In this discussion we also talked about getting rid of the chalk board traditions (with guest Raphael Tene from zipline)- we dived into getting out of the comfort solutions. What do you consider innovative ? How are you challenging your day to day. Again this time around my guest chose a smoothie as his integration model – find out why… also we established that creativity is one of the most underrated skill of the future. find out why.

Let us know how you are pushing boundaries? How are you as a recent graduate getting out there to drive your career and in your quest for the right job/passion/purpose?

This talk on how the startup Awesomity in Rwanda is equipping their future young programmers melted my heart! Pure Passion, Determination coupled with a country doing everything to ensure its youth are winning – Rwanda definitely takes a nomination as one model nation. Talking with Co-Founder Yves Honore ( Lead UX & UI Designer ) was honestly an honor – Loved hearing and sharing this story. In the full talk you will also learn of three things that will ensure you are on your way to success as a startup. Meet Awesome plus Creativity = Awesomity.

What is #Rwanda known for ? The last week we had a sneak peak into how this country is developing into the model African Country when it comes to cultivating a good foundation for its young people to succeed in engaging in partaking in the economic landscape with high focus on Processes and policies that empower Technology companies to succeed — particularly startups formed by young people. Find out more later on regarding some insights on Rwanda and its young people.

Below 3 things that are making Rwanda a hub for tech startups by young people:

• Starting a company spares you bureaucracy. Check out how to start a business in rwanda here and here
• A mindset shift for youth through programs like He He that equip students to learn and solve problems by being relevant — an African silicon Valley is being built right now in Rwanda.
• Eco system conditions that support young people to be creative and positioned ( e.g when it comes to getting funding, paying taxes and their first choice as partners to do business with )- find out more on this from our podcast edition with Awesomity Co-Founder Yves.

By the way as Bonus : Rwanda — Kigali is one the most cleanest City ever on the African soil !!!

See more on Rwanda on this lovely blog post from Elizabeth.

Here is the lovely episode featuring the discussion with Dr.Ish Dodoo which highlights some strategies to empower youth today.

Listen to this talk ( absolutely loved it) because it is relevant and urgent to young people in africa today.

It dives it five key pillars for African Youth today:

1. Dissecting the key focus areas for Youth today
2. Dives into what Youth should prioritise Economic vs Political vs Social status
3. Insights on where the power of youth is
4. Defines and clears the air on who is Youth in Africa
5. Proposes actions of the defined Youth category

“There is urgency to now allow the youth of Africa to step into Economic Freedom by having this group driving key strategic actions and the 40 year olds also pass the leadership baton”

Prince is final year Mastercard Foundation Scholar studying BSc (Hons) Medicinal & Biological Chemistry at The University of Edinburgh. He was recently acknowledged as 1 of the 10 Zimbabwean Rhodes Scholarship Finalists. He is an entrepreneur, passionate about creating sustainable impact in tackling global challenges. He co-Founded a food preservation start-up called Chashi Foods, which provides sustainable post-harvest and food waste management solutions.

Their team is currently launching  Zimbabwe’s 1st dried tomatoes brand.

He is always excited to continue exploring opportunities that enhance his entrepreneurial acumen and connect with professionals in similar endeavours.  

His previous entrepreneurial engagement has seen him represent his university at the 2018 Enactus World Cup in Silicon Valley, where their team was ranked in the top 8 teams in Enactus World Wide. Alongside his academic studies, he spends time in extra-curricular activities that focus on youth empowerment, he co-Founded the first Peer Mentoring Scheme for Sub-Saharan Africans at his university. Additionally, he co-Founded Up’a’Step an online platform that supports students with interview and internship tips. He also volunteers as Network Consultant for Shasha Network, a student-led digital education consultancy in Zimbabwe that is currently compiling a multi-author book dubbed “The 100 Letter Project on the future of Education in Zimbabwe.”

From talking about how background plays a key role to diving into what is it that drives success and getting down to three key take aways for all those in STEM. 

Meet our 1st pioneer Takudzwa Caitano – Passionate about entrepreneurship and technology and on a mission to create a tech revolution in Africa. Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Foundation 2019 cohort , NextGen Community Fellow , Harvard Village To Raise A Child  2017 Finalist and a Yale Young Global Scholar. Works with various startups CEOs in strategy. Currently a student at Stanford University pursuing various interests such as entrepreneurship , artificial intelligence , economics and ethics.

See more of his work on : https://thediaspora.news/

Diversity and inclusion in STEM is very crucial for its development and its effect on the overall African economics.

Our young people have to be entrepreneurs regardless of their background.

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Featuring tools and success stories for today’s entrepreneurial and ambitious Engineers, Innovators & Scientists in Africa. Engineers & Scientists like you have made strides towards the industrial development of Africa (both men and women). Meet Them, Be them, Own it and join us on the discovery journey on what is happening with the realms of S.T.E.M.

Today more than ever engineering , innovation , research and strategy has to be the strong pillar for Africa’s industry to grow. Engineers, Innovators & Scientists in the STEM fields are bending the rules and reshaping this African landscape and the world at large –ensuring a rising generation have a better place to live in the world

Discover Techpreneurs, Engineers, Innovators & Scientists in the STEM fields bending the rules and reshaping this African landscape and the world at large –ensuring a rising generation have a better place to live in the world

Engineering Pioneers examines and validates the ambitions and achievements of this influential and creative group of engineering pioneers. Through the scientific lens of some of the globe’s most interesting STEM leaders. I explores a range of topics from leadership , technology , innovation and engineering breakthroughs to areas affected by STEM like economy, transport, health/wellness, family, politics and education. See examples of some great initiatives below. Want more ? Subscribe

• Research: Science Pioneers
• Smart Cities: Construction
• Supply Chain: Free Trade
• Robotics: Automation Made in Africa
• Production:Hands on Leadership

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