The Senegalese Jesus EKIE, Ph.D. in Computer Science at the ISI and Senior Consultant in Computer Science and Web received the 1st Prize of the African Union and the IFPRI (the International Institute for Research on Food Policies) in the computer field throughout the African continent.
The ReSAKSS (Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System) Data Challenge ceremony took place on October 25 at the Radisson Blu in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.
The event was attended by HE Josefa SACKO (Commissioner for African Union in charge of Rural Economy & Agriculture), Dr. Shenggen Fan (IFPRI World Director General) and Dr. Ousmane Badiane (IFPRI Africa Director).
This competition, which assesses the talent and creativity of ICT players in Africa, has seen Jesus EKIE propose, as a solution to a problem of studying billions of lines of information, an artificial intelligence that he has named “Jera “And who achieves in addition to this the prowess to operate on mobile terminals called smartphones.
In addition to the analysis of very high frequency data, “Jera” has several other features addressing several issues related to coordination, knowledge management, research etc …
Asked about the motivations that pushed him to participate in this high level competition, Jesus EKIE will answer that his motivations are summarized in three key figures:
As highlighted by InterNews “Only 13% of the world’s population lives in a country where the press is free”;
According to Google, by 2020, 50% of searches will be done by voice.
With a penetration rate of more than 80% of mobile telephony, Africa is resolutely turned towards digital.
This award, more than a reward for his efforts, represents the hard work of an optimistic youth on the future and possibilities of his continent: Africa.
Following Jesus EKIE 1st (Computer category), another Senegalese has also been rewarded. This is Miss Christine Valentine Noella Sagna 2nd (category Trial & Report) while the 3rd Prize went to Nigerian Oreoluwa Olorode (Category High School Project).
About the Data Challenge
The ReSAKSS Data Challenge is a pan-African-diaspora-included contest that allows you to experiment and discover new tools, to participate in building and strengthening a community working with data in the most innovative way.
The ReSAKSS was established in 2006 by IFPRI as part of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), with the aim of supporting the planning and implementation of evidence-based policies. results-oriented, in the CAADP agenda. ReSAKSS was created as a direct response to the growing demand for credible information and analysis during the development and implementation of agriculture-led development strategies in support of CAADP.
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