Ghana’s Laud Anthony Basing emerges winner in Brilliant African Innovations against COVID-19

Ghanaian Entrepreneur and Founder of Incas Diagnostics, Laud Anthony Basing, has been awarded the first prize in the entrepreneurial competition dubbed ‘Brilliant African Innovations against COVID-19’, organized by Africa.com.
Out of six finalists from across Africa, he was awarded the first prize for his design and production of low-cost, point-of-care diagnostic test kits designed specifically for Africa. This rapid COVID-19 test kit is combined with a comprehensive app that incorporates symptom assessment, the data capture of test results, tracking of patient location using GPS signals, and dissemination of all of this information to public health authorities.
Laud is to receive a $500 prize; mentoring by Harvard Business School Professor of Entrepreneurship, Tarun Khanna; and a $5,000 media package from Africa.com.
American Entrepreneur, Teresa Clarke, in announcing his win told Laud: “It was very clear among the judges and in the audience that your innovation has a significant impact not only in Africa but around the world. It has the potential to save lives everywhere”.
Expressing his excitement for his win he told Teresa Clarke, “Thank you so much. I am really grateful. This is big news for my company”.
For the second position, two contestants, from Kenya and Nigeria, were tied for the prize of $250 each and a $2,500 media package from Africa.com. One of the two second prize winners was Mary Mwangi of Kenya, founder of Data Integrated, for her Epesi Trip Planner, an app that allows public bus passengers to book a ride and pay online ahead of time, thus avoiding densely populated lines to board buses and human contact associated with the use of cash.
The other finalist tied for the second prize was Dr. Wale Adeosun of Nigeria, founder of Wellvis, which uses machine learning to help patients assess their risk for COVID-19, and depending on the outcome, educates patients about the virus, and recommends next steps using a telemedicine platform.
Mwangi won a mentoring session with Adrian Vermooten, Head of Digital Innovation at Standard Bank. Adeosun won a mentoring session with Juliet Ehimuan, Director, West Africa- Google.