Yunga Tech pledges improved services after winning £25,000 in Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

Yunga, a Ugandan technology startup dedicated to providing affordable security and improving community safety in Africa, has received the prestigious Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2023 from the Royal Academy of Engineering UK.

This comes after Yunga Tech CEO Anatoli Kirigwajjo and Edmund Wessels, a South African biomedical engineer, jointly won the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 2023 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.

Both Wessels and Kirigwajjo were awarded first prize for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, taking home £25,000  to further develop their products.

“This recognition highlights our commitment to delivering exceptional technology tools for communities to thrive economically while staying safe,” Yunga Tech said in a statement on Monday, July 10, 2023.

“We extend our gratitude to the Royal Academy of Engineering for their recognition and tailored workshops and mentorship that have enhanced our operations, resulting in a 60% increase in sales and improved investment readiness,” they added.

Yunga also expressed  appreciation to their customers (1000+) across 34 communities in Uganda and promised to continue providing exceptional technology tools for their safety.

“Furthermore, we take this opportunity to thank our investors for their timely support, enabling us to serve households in need and enhance security and peace of mind,” they added.

Yunga said the prestigious award will facilitate their expansion, connecting an additional 3,000 households to the Yunga Network, with a focus on vulnerable women-led households. This expansion aims to create a safer environment, foster economic growth, and empower these communities.

“Yunga is proud to be part of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s m1ss1on to promote engineering innovation in Africa. This recognition validates our efforts and motivates us to continue developing cutting-edge solutions for underserved communities,” they said.

For all engineers across Africa, applications for the Africa Prize 2024 will close on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 4.00pm BST.