The team of young innovators from our Department of Informatics and Information Technology (DIIT) had an opportunity to participate in the second cohort of the StArfrica Tanzania eXist Accelerator program, which was hosted at the University of Dar es Salaam’s Mathematics Department from April 4–April 17, 2024. The StArfrica Tanzania eXist Accelerator initiative aims to find business concepts from Tanzanian university students and new graduates and help them apply for a Start-up Scholarship in Germany. The team, mentored by Dr. Neema Sumari, was led by Johanes Muhimbula, a former BSc. Information Technology (IT) student, and members Elin Mageta, a third-year BSc. IT student, and Jackson Ngowi, a Diploma in IT graduate.
Our team focuses on developing technologies to tackle the increasing frequency, severity, and unpredictability of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, droughts, earthquakes, landslides, and temperature extremes. These events, worsened by human-caused climate change, result in fatalities, community displacement, infrastructure destruction, livelihood disruption, and significant economic costs.
The team offered a groundbreaking solution called “Development of a Multi-Hazard Early Warning Mobile and Web Application”. This unique platform intends to handle the complexities of many risks by combining data from a variety of sources, utilizing modern geospatial technologies, and encouraging community participation. By providing timely and accurate alerts, the application supports effective monitoring, forecasting, preparedness, and response operations, eventually protecting the lives of vulnerable populations.
