How do you describe someone innovative?
The characteristic of great innovators and great companies is they see a space that others do not. They don’t just listen to what people tell them; they actually invent something new, something that you didn’t know you needed, but the moment you see it, you say, ‘I must have it.
Innovation is about turning a vision into new products or services. This definition clearly depicts what Norah Magero has achieved in her career and how her unique inventions have impacted people’s lives positively.
She made history in the UK by being the second woman and the first Kenyan to be awarded the Africa Prize by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Alessandra Buonfino, the judge for the Africa Prize, stated during a virtual ceremony that Magero’s invention, VacciBox, demonstrated the continent’s capacity for medical innovation.
We’re delighted to award VacciBox the Africa Prize. The potential impact of improving the cold chain delivery of medicine – especially vaccines – to rural areas is immense.”
“Norah truly represents the idea that one innovator can change an entire community. We look forward to watching her and her team scale this innovation to reach even more people,” Buonfino stated.
Magero won Ksh3.6 million (£25,000), which will enable the idea to reach more people throughout Africa. In order to safely store and carry medications, such as vaccines, for use in field vaccinations and distant clinics, VacciBox is a compact, portable, solar-powered fridge.
Magero expressed her gratitude for the honor and mentioned that the idea was created to help doctors practicing in underdeveloped areas.
“VacciBox was designed with our local challenges in mind. It’s versatile, reliable, and localized. We’re ensuring that it works the way healthcare workers need it to work for the conditions they face each day so that they can save lives without worrying about technology,” she stated.
The award, which began in 2014, is the continent’s biggest prize in the engineering field that seeks to recognise the inventions by men and women in the industry.
How did she come up with the unique innovation?
In a recent interview with The Optimist, a UK Publication, Magero says that she didn’t set out to use her appliances to help people get jabbed. She says her “lightbulb” idea came when she was approached by Kenyan farmers to find ways to keep their milk from turning sour during transit.
After the coronavirus pandemic struck and vaccines became available in Kenya, the team realized that the cool box solved two problems in one: Not only could it store vaccines and keep them cool, it was small enough to be portable, and so could be used to transport vaccine vials to the most remote outposts while keeping them at the right temperature.
The concept was then brought to life with the help of investors including RES4Africa Foundation and Startup Energy.
Magero has vast experience in the design and management of off-grid energy utilities. According to her LinkedIn profile, she is passionate about energy access in Africa and gender issues.
She has received other honors including a Booking.Com Technology Playmaker Award 2020 finalist and Women in Energy East Africa Community, Philanthropy Award winner 2017. She is also an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative, YALI, and the Micro-Grid Academy.
Key takeaways
Find your purpose and stick to it. Norah had a clear vision when she created Vaccibox, she was passionate about making sure that healthcare was accessible. You too can be able to discover what your dreams and passions are.
Is it that online business? Is it that career in Project management? Whatever it is, go for it! Don’t give up!
