For centuries, as typical of humans, Africans have constantly developed new ideas to survive. They treated the most poisonous snake bites with local herbs, repaired broken bones and melted and molded metals. In agriculture and textile, they built silos for their produce, dyed their fabrics, and made careers in local crafts. The Egyptians built the […]
1.2 – Triple Helix Partnership for Innovation
The triple helix of industry, government and university has to strengthen for innovation to flourish in Africa. When schools educate for the needs of the markets and governments make rules that accelerate economic vibrancy, the overall system improves. None can function effectively without the other elements, so partnership is important. Africa is positioned as the […]
1.1 – Africa’s Need for Knowledge Creation
As the 21st Century closes its second decade, Africa is confronted with daunting challenges of building a new generation of workforce and critically-needed infrastructure to not just compete globally but also to prepare for its post-mineral era. The continent needs to foster a climate of innovation and pursue sustainable growth despite evolving economic realities that […]
1.0 – Innovation for Development
Across most African capitals, a new movement is taking place. Young people with their chisels, laptops and hammers are congregating and working to grab the future in their own hands. They are the makers with enclaves of hackers, enthusiasts, hobbyists, artisans and indeed people with the mindsets to revolutionize Africa from within, by doing something […]
About the Author – Ndubuisi Ekekwe, PhD
Short Bio: Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe invented and patented a robotic system used in minimal invasive medical robots. The United States Government acquired assignee rights to the technology in 2017. Dr Ekekwe holds two doctoral and four master’s degrees including PhD in electrical and computer engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, USA. He earned B.Eng electrical and electronics engineering from Federal University of Technology Owerri where he graduated as his class best graduating student.
While in Analog Devices Corp, he worked in the team that designed an accelerometer for the iPhone and he created the company’s first wafer level chip scale package for inertial sensors.
A recipient of IGI Global “Book of the Year” Award, a TED Fellow, IBM Global Entrepreneur and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Dr Ekekwe has held professorships in Carnegie Mellon University and Babcock University, and served in the United States National Science Foundation ERC E&D Committee.
The founder of Zenvus, a global leading precision ag tech company, and Chairman of Fasmicro Group, writes regularly in the Harvard Business Review. Dr. Ekekwe is a selection board member of the $100 Million Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program.
Bio: Dr. Ndubuisi Ekekwe holds two doctoral and four master’s degrees including a PhD in electrical & computer engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, USA and MBA from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He obtained BEng from Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Nigeria) where he graduated as his class’ best student.
A US semiconductor industry veteran, his working experiences include Diamond Bank, Analog Devices Corp and NNPC. In Analog Devices, he worked in the team that designed a generation accelerometer for the iPhone, and he created the company’s first wafer level chip scale package for inertial sensor.
He writes regularly in the Harvard Business Review, and previously served in the United States National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center E&D Committee for four years. He was also a PACE Chairman and Gold Chairman of IEEE Boston section. Prof Ekekwe is a Co-Chairman of JPL Financial Group, a California-based financial advisory firm which syndicates capital for projects in Africa.
An inventor, author, he held professorships in electrical & computer engineering, Babcock University, and Carnegie Mellon University electrical/computer engineering. He is the recipient of IGI Global 2010 “Book of the Year” Award. He is also a TED Fellow, IBM Global Entrepreneur and World Economic Forum “Young Global Leader”.
As the Founder/Chairman of Fasmicro Group, he controls companies like Zenvus, an agtech pioneer in Africa; First Atlantic Cybersecurity Institute (Facyber); Milonics Analytics, an IBM PartnerWorld member; First Atlantic Semiconductor & Microelectronics; among others. He recently co-founded Atlantic Americas, an engineering firm, handling major operations in most parts of northern Nigeria.
Dr. Ekekwe is a selection board member of the $100 Million Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program. He has written many books, authored many technical papers, and invented technologies. The African Leadership Network has honored him as a “New Generation Leader for Africa”.