Women lead technological and environmental innovation in Australia and Africa

In South Australia, the 2026 Women in Innovation Awards recognized 14 women for advancements in science, technology, healthcare, and the environment. Notable winners include Adelaide University researcher Dr. Shervin Kabiri, who developed technology to remove up to 95 per cent of PFAS chemicals from water in 30 seconds, and Marissa Bond, who is addressing student assessment challenges in the age of generative AI. Additionally, five entrepreneurs received $110,000 through the FoundHer Grant Program.

In Africa, the UbuntuNet Alliance Women Hackathon 2026 concluded in Lilongwe, Malawi, showcasing digital solutions for climate challenges. Four teams from Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Botswana presented innovations ranging from AI-powered environmental monitoring to livestock methane reduction. The Tanzanian team, AFRI-NODE, won the competition with a low-cost IoT early warning architecture designed for climate adaptation and economic resilience across Sub-Saharan catchments.