Apps4Africa looks to tech for climate change solutions

Apps are important. After all, they’re everywhere: on our smartphones, tablets, PCs and even TVs. There’s a reason people talk so enthusiastically about the so-called “app economy”. One initiative is looking to recognise that with a global completion.

Apps4Africa claims to encourage “individuals to develop technological solutions to environmental challenges”

The latest iteration of the competition offers people the chance to win US$15 000 if they can provide a winning technological solution to the problem of climate change.

So prominent was the first Apps4Africa competition in 2010 that US secretary of state Hillary Clinton congratulated the winners.

Apps4Africa is organised by AppAfrica Labs, a consultancy that “provides opportunity for African software developers who are trained in data visualization, web design, mobile and other areas of software development”.

The organisation claims to “actively support the interests of investors, project managers, NGOs or grantors have when dealing with tech projects” across Africa