In the heart of Pretoria, South Africa, a vibrant convergence of brilliant minds unfolded from
September 25th to 28th, 2023—the UNESCO 9th Africa Engineering Conference. This
extraordinary event, organized by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), brought
together visionaries under the resounding theme of “Celebrating and Growing Engineering
Excellence in the African Region.”
The conference, like a powerful magnet, drew professionals and luminaries from every corner of
the continent. It was graced by the esteemed presence of His Excellency the Vice President of
South Africa, alongside distinguished cabinet ministers. Moreover, a high-level delegation from
the African Union, the Federation of African Engineering Organizations (FAEO), and the World
Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) added an air of prestige and global
collaboration.
Amidst the sea of faces in the Conference auditorium, both young and old, each adorned with
the sparkle of ambition, were engineers from diverse backgrounds and cultures. They hailed
from the vast plains of the Serengeti to the bustling streets of Lagos, from the ancient pyramids
of Egypt to the vibrant markets of Marrakech. They represented the kaleidoscope of Africa’s rich
tapestry, brought together by their shared passion for engineering.
Under one resplendent roof, Africa’s finest minds converged with a shared mission: to ignite the
spark of engineering brilliance and steer the course of a brighter African future. As the
conference commenced, the opening keynote echoed through the grand hall. The attendees
listened with rapt attention, their eyes gleaming with determination. They had come to this
conference not merely as spectators but as architects of change, driven by a collective vision to
transform Africa through innovation and ingenuity. Dr. Kwame Adisa (keynote speaker), a
distinguished engineer from Ghana, stood at the podium, his voice resonating with wisdom and
experience. He spoke of Africa’s challenges, its untapped potential and the pivotal role that the
young engineers gathered before him would play in shaping the continent’s future. The
spectrum of sub-themes ranged as wide as the savannah horizon—covering Energy, Digital
Transformation, and much more, all spread across the event’s immersive three-day program. An
array of panel discussions further enriched the discourse, yielding invaluable insights after each
series of captivating presentations.
Above all, what made this conference truly exceptional was the inclusion of Botswana Institution
of Engineers (BIE) young engineers (Resego Tsiane and Lone Batshegi), who proudly
represented both their nation and the local engineering community. Engineer Resego Tsiane
stood before the attentive audience, presenting her groundbreaking research on Renewable
Energy—a vital component of Africa’s sustainable future. With over 600 million Africans without
electricity and renewable energy sources accounting for barely more than 9% of total energy
generated on the continent, Engineer Resego’s paper provides context for the issue of clean
energy transition and development. It
seeks to examine numerous variables that influence the approach to the clean transition in
Africa. Her research focus was green development inertia and designing a roadmap for
‘Greening Africa’.
Meanwhile, Engineer Lone Batshegi took the stage to discuss Digital Transformation, unraveling
its potential as a catalyst for Africa’s economic development, unlocking new pathways for rapid
economic growth, innovation, job creation and high accessibility. Through a developed
conceptual model, Engineer Lone’s paper assessed Africa’s current state of digital
transformation and identified digital transformation enablers that can accelerate the
transformation process. And he emphasized the need for African governments to invest in
creating an enabling environment, developing digital skills, infrastructure, platforms, services
and entrepreneurship to effectively connect with millions of citizens and global customer
markets, positioning Africa in the global digitized economy.
During coffee breaks and networking sessions, conversations flowed like a river. Engineers from
South Africa discussed collaborations with peers from Morocco, envisioning a future where
African technology could rival the best from around the world. Innovators from Ethiopia
exchanged ideas with those from Tunisia, exploring how ancient knowledge could blend
seamlessly with modern technology to uplift their communities. Amidst the festivities, a group of
engineers from Egypt, Ghana and Cameroon huddled together, their animated conversation
drawing curious glances. They were brainstorming a collaborative project that would harness
the power of renewable energy to provide electricity to rural communities across the continent,
bridging the gap between urban and rural areas.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the conference hall transformed into a kaleidoscope of
colors, echoing the diversity of Africa. Delegates donned traditional attire, showcasing the
richness of their cultures. The rhythmic beats of drums and the melodious hum of African
instruments filled the air, inviting everyone to join in a celebration of unity.
With hearts brimming with gratitude, these young engineers extended their deepest thanks to
their sponsors. BIE, ERB, Aquaview, Power Engineering, and the generous Mr. Prince Owolabi
made it possible for them to partake in this monumental event. Their support was not merely
financial; it was a beacon of encouragement, illuminating the path toward knowledge and
progress.
In the spirit of unity, the young engineers also expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the
event’s gracious host, South Africa, and the diligent organizers at ECSA. This conference was
more than just a gathering; it was an opportunity for learning, networking, and nurturing the
seeds of engineering excellence that will, undoubtedly, bear fruit in Africa’s prosperous and
sustainable future.
Engineering, as evidenced by this conference, stands as a powerful force—an unyielding
cornerstone for economic and social progress across Africa. It is a force that not only raises the
trajectory of progress but also propels it into the stratosphere of growth and innovation.
The Continental Engineering Conference concluded with a resounding sense of purpose and
unity.
As the multitudes of African engineers boarded planes and buses, they carried with them not
only the memories of a remarkable conference but also the weight of responsibility. They
returned with a renewed vigor, armed with knowledge, inspiration, and a network of like-minded
visionaries. They knew that the path ahead was challenging, but they were prepared to face it
head-on, fueled by their shared dream of building a brighter, more prosperous Africa.They were
the torchbearers of Africa’s engineering future, and the world would soon witness their
innovations, their resilience, and their unwavering commitment to transforming their beloved
continent. The Continental Engineering Conference had ignited a spark that would light the way
to a brighter, more promising tomorrow for all of Africa.
For BIE, the journey does not conclude on the local stage; it extends far beyond national
borders. It involves stepping onto the international arena, forging collaborations with global
engineering bodies, and contributing to the advancement of engineering on a global scale.
Through the passionate endeavors of young engineers, BIE has triumphantly taken a significant
stride toward promoting and growing the engineering profession on international turf. Engineers,
indeed, continue to make it happen—their vision, their innovation, and their unwavering
commitment illuminating the path to a brighter African tomorrow.
