By Mark Kawalya
Founder and Executive Director of Chil Artificial Intelligence Lab, Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa has been nominated for Business Insider Africa’s inaugural awards. She is set to compete in the ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ category with such contenders as Toyosi Akere-Ogunsiji, CEO of Rise Networks, Tunde Onakoya; Founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Misha Teasdale; Co-Founder & Director at Greenpop and Orondaam Otto; Founder & CEO of Slum2School.
“I am so happy that I was nominated. I didn’t know I was, but this shows that the world sees our work not only in healthcare but also in other fields like solving hunger and food scarcity, “Nabuuma said. “I am so happy about it, but most importantly, I am proud of the team that works day and night to make sure the world sees Chil’s work.”
The newly introduced Business Insider Africa Awards, seek to recognize innovative entrepreneurs and business leaders who are driving change in their spheres of operation, transforming businesses and significantly impacting Sub-Sahara Africa.
Shamim, who survived cancer started Chil Artificial Intelligence Lab (Chil AI Lab) in 2017 for the purpose of propagating mobile cancer screening among women. The firm deploys artificial intelligence-guided e-oncology tests to detect breast and cervical cancer, while its cervical cancer specimens are transported using drones from rural areas to laboratories. This saves women the burden of having to travel long distances to go for testing by bringing a crucial healthcare service right to their doorstep.
The COVID-19 Pandemic prompted the Chil AI Lab team to develop a mobile application (Keti) alongside a chatbot to enable women in its areas of operation (Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan) to consult oncologists who offer a quicker and noninvasive way to diagnose cancer.
The nominees for each of the 11 categories that emerge with the highest votes will be declared winners at the virtual award ceremony scheduled for April 12th, 2022. The ceremony will bring together Sub-Saharan Africa’s most innovative and inspirational entrepreneurs. The awards are anticipated to generate a buzz on social media across the Sub-Saharan region.
It is worthwhile to note that Shamim’s nomination comes at a time when another startup she co-founded, ‘Solerchil Technologies’ increased its foot print by expanding into Kenya, an achievement she is proud of.
Solerchil Technologies manufactures and rents out solar-powered cold rooms to farmers and market vendors so they can preserve their unsold produce for a longer time.
