Africa innovates Magazine -AI4DEV - Flipbook - Page 55
FA B L A B Y O U T H H U B ( R w a n d a )
GOAL SETTERS
SHIELDING
THE NATION
One of Rwanda’s burgeoning innovation youth hubs, Fab Lab Rwanda, are producing these
high-end, government-approved face shields, and supplying them to hospitals as well as
businesses that interact with clients in person – such as restaurants, supermarkets, and
other service-providing centers. Fab Lab Rwanda was established in 2016, as space to turn
innovative ideas into products, specifically in the hardware and electronics industries.
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PROJECT AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU
TO COME UP WITH THE IDEA.
During the pandemic many supply chains for hospital
equipment have slowed down. As an innovation hub, we
set ourselves to fill the void by manufacturing face shields.
Through conversations we had with some doctors on
the front line who were treating COVID 19 patients, we
understood that face shields were part of the must-have
protective equipment, that they used to protect themselves while on duty. We set ourselves a goal to help by
producing these shields locally.
W H AT H A S B E E N T H E I M PA C T
O F YO U R P R O D U C T ?
We have filled the void left by the slow supply and less
availability of face shields. And by manufacturing them
locally, we have helped facilitate some businesses to
continue operating especially restaurants, supermarkets
and service centers.
W H AT C H A L L E N G E S H AV E YO U
FA C E I N P RO D U C I N G T H E M A N D
W H AT H E L P D O YO U N E E D ?
Although our aim is to source all the materials and
components we need locally, this is difficult. So the
challenge is our reliance on materials that are manufactured abroad. In order to meet the growing demand of
the market we need to have enough inventory, for all
materials and components we use in manufacturing face
shields. We need more support in this area.
W H AT ARE YO UR HO PES FO R T H E
FUT URE O F YO UR INNOVAT IO N?
We are working hard to contribute in the fight against the
spread of COVID-19, through different innovations. We
hope that one day we will be the hub exporting innovations to other countries. We also want to help our neighbours, by exporting the face shields during this pandemic.
Together we can beat COVID-19.
SHOWCASING AFRICAN INNOVATION 55
