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5. #WDC400: The 1st African Solar-Powered Android Computer

Now for a South African innovation. Capsule Technologies has created the first African-made, solar-powered Android computer. It aims to connect those in rural areas with limited access to electricity.

The company has called it “20W African Android Computer” and it was recognised as an official project of the World Design Capital 2014 programme.

In March 2014, the first “20W” prototype was released as the first Android Computer made in Africa, which heralded Capsule Technologies as a key player of the Android industry in Africa.

This computer can be powered with a solar panel, which allows it to be independent of electricity infrastructure. It can also be connected to a network via 3G, ADSL or broadband, and is easy to use for those who have used an Android device.

The solar-powered computer answers the challenge of digital needs, network connectivity, and power shortages in Africa. The company says the aim of its project is to bridge the digital divide and use African innovation to build its computer. 

Its goal is to offer a computer designed for the African ecosystem and represents a sustainable IT solution. This implies a lot of software development.

For this, the company will also hire local talent to develop and support the software that will be bundled with the computer.

The company is based in Cape Town, offering IT training  and has a division for creating technology.

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