Thank you for the incredible interest in the HIP Dev Programme. We have been thrilled by the number and quality of applications received from across Africa and beyond. To ensure a fair and equitable selection process—particularly as new partners and additional countries continue to submit applications—we have decided to extend the application deadline to July…
Reflections from the First Health Innovation Product Development Challenge Information Session When we opened registration for the first Health Innovation Product Development (HIP) Challenge information session, we did not know exactly who would show up. Would it be students? Entrepreneurs? Community leaders? Health professionals? People with ideas? People looking for jobs? People simply curious about…
Interest in the HIP Dev Challenge continues to grow, and we’ve added an additional information session on June 30 for those who would like to learn more before applying. These sessions are intentionally kept small to allow time for discussion, questions, and conversation about the program. Information Session 📅 June 30, 2026⏰ 18:00–19:00 (SAST)📍 Online…
Over the years, I have worked across education, innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community-building initiatives. While these fields are often treated as distinct domains, I have become increasingly convinced that they are all attempting to address the same underlying challenge: helping people create value in a changing world. Traditionally, we have approached this challenge through…
African skin is beautiful, resilient, and rich in melanin, but it also has unique characteristics that influence how it responds to skincare products. Understanding these differences helps us develop products that better support healthy skin. One important difference is how African skin responds to irritation. A small pimple, insect bite, scratch, or rash that may…
What does it take to move an idea from concept to product and ultimately to market? The HIP Challenge is a practical learning experience designed to help participants explore the product development journey through a real-world challenge. Participants will engage with the pathway: Discover → Create → Test → Sell Through the challenge, participants will…
People sometimes ask me why I do teach, volunteer, try to support others? Why Communities of Africa? Why health innovation? Why education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community development? The answer has evolved over the years, but it always comes back to the same belief. I believe people are capable of far more than they often realize….
More Than a Challenge When people hear the word “challenge,” they often assume it means competition. They think of judges, prizes, rankings, and winners. The Health Innovation Product Development Challenge is different. It was not created to see who has the best pitch or the most polished business plan. It was created to give people…
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with students, entrepreneurs, professionals, community leaders, and innovators from many different backgrounds. One thing I’ve noticed is that there is no shortage of learning opportunities. People are taking courses, attending workshops, participating in training programs, and earning certificates. Access to information has never been greater. Yet…
Every day, entrepreneurs develop ideas they believe can improve lives, solve problems, and create income. Yet most ideas never become successful products. The challenge is rarely the idea itself—it is everything that happens between an idea and a customer making a purchase. At Foi Science Academy, Communities of Africa, and through the Health Innovation Product…
