Astronomy is an old age tradition in Africa. As with all other cultures, various ethnic groups developed their own interpretations of the solar system. Take for example the Xhosa traditional calendar, which began with in June with isiLimela (Pleiades) and ends in May when Canopus, a large star visible in the Southern Hemisphere signalled the time for harvesting. 

There are many humanitarian issues at play across the continent. Despite challenges such as droughts, famine and infectious diseases, the African Union (AU) recognised the need to invest in science as critical to finding solutions to those very same problems. In March 2010, African Ministers of Science met in Egypt where they declared 2011 – 2020 the ‘Decade for Science in Africa’.

a²+ b²= c^2.. This equation is known as the Pythagora’s Theorem. It relates to right-angle triangles, where the square of the hypotenuse (c) is equal to the sum of the squares of the two other sides. While a perception has been created that mathematics is far removed from African norms, several forms of art and design prove differently.

The Innovation Prize for Africa  (IPA) was started in 2011. It was an initiative started by the African Innovation Foundation to honour and encourage innovative achievements that contribute towards the development of new products, increase efficiency or saving costs in Africa.

A phone is a phone is a phone. The smartphone industry forms a significant base of social and economic activity in Africa. According to a November 2013 report by McKinsey on telecommunications and internet access in Africa, there are 67 million smartphones in use across the continent. One of the main complaints raised by smartphone users is that of the battery-life of the devices. The longevity is typically cited as an issue of concern, more so on a continent where access to regular electricity is not always consistent. In comes Dr Thabo Lehlokoe, founder of Seemahale Telecoms, a local telecommunications equipment manufacturer.

Africa is known as the continent that gave birth to basic and advanced mathematics. Historians of Africa and mathematics have written extensively on the use of numerals, algebra and geometry in the daily lives of Africans. The mathematical knowledge spread throughout the entire world, firstly through migrations out of Africa beginning around 30,000 BC, and secondly, through invasion of Africa by Europeans and Asians from 1700 BC.