Science and Innovation / Innovation / INNOV4GOOD: Southern African innovators showcase social solutions at ChangeNOW Summit in Paris

INNOV4GOOD: Southern African innovators showcase social solutions at ChangeNOW Summit in Paris

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
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20 May

Three exceptional social innovation businesses from South Africa and Malawi have been awarded grants through INNOV4GOOD, an initiative of the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi to further develop their businesses, enhance and scale their social impact.

These innovators represented Southern Africa at the prestigious ChangeNOW Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris, from 24 to  April 2025.

The INNOV4GOOD programme, implemented in partnership with innovation stakeholders including the SAB Foundation, RLabs, Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, SIHI Malawi, and UNDP Malawi, supports visionary projects in green technology, circular economy, tech inclusion, and public health.

By collaborating on this initiative, these organisations demonstrate their dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving living conditions in the region.

Selected projects receive a substantial grant of €20,000 (approximately R400,000) towards upscaling as well as attending an immersive experience in Paris’s vibrant innovation ecosystem at ChangeNOW.

The innovators who travelled to Paris for ChangeNOW 2025 are:

  • W. Leif Van Grinsen, Small Farm Cities (Lilongwe, Malawi): Transforming rural resilience through affordable agricultural communities, integrating eco-friendly housing with climate-smart agribusiness.
  • Braden van Breda, Ai Diagnostics (Cape Town, South Africa): Revolutionising public health with a wireless digital stethoscope and AI-powered Tuberculosis detection, enhancing diagnosis and treatment accessibility.
  • Prudence Simelane, Samanjalo (Emalahleni, South Africa): Converting coal ash waste into sustainable building materials, reducing carbon emissions by up to 80% and creating local job opportunities.
  • A fourth business, Orion Lee Herman’s, LiquidGold Africa (Durban, South Africa) was selected to attend ChangeNOW with these awardees. LiquidGold Africa is pioneering dry sanitation solutions that transform urine into valuable fertiliser, promoting hygiene and advancing circular wastewater management.

ChangeNOW is the leading summit for innovative solutions addressing the planet’s most pressing challenges. Gathering over 40,000 attendees from more than 140 countries, including changemakers, business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, the summit provides unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and international exposure.

His Excellency Mr David Martinon, Ambassador of France to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi said:

These remarkable innovators exemplify the transformative power of partnership and innovation to address global challenges. Their presence at ChangeNOW is an exciting opportunity to showcase Southern Africa’s contributions to sustainable solutions on a global stage.

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