Bridging Afrika

25/08/2025

A special thank you to our jury at for their thoughtful feedback and decisive selection of the winning innovations. Throughout the pitches, they challenged teams to think critically about impact, sustainability, and user experience. One key message resonated strongly: innovations must be built with the user, for the user.

Their expertise set a high bar, and their critical insights will continue to guide the teams as they refine their prototypes into impactful assistive technologies.

20/08/2025

The final day of was filled with anticipation and innovation. Teams pitched their prototypes in front of a distinguished jury, showcasing bold solutions to challenges faced by persons with disabilities.

👏 Congratulations to our Top 3 winners:
🥇 IRIS Smart Glasses - Affordable AI-powered assistive glasses for daily navigation and safety.
🥈 RB App - A mobile solution linking hospitals, caregivers, and community health workers to provide rehabilitation at home to children with Cerebral Palsy.
🥉 Asivate - A Local-first app that combines speech-to-text communication with audio awareness to enhance the safety and social inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing users.

These innovations now move into incubation, where they’ll be developed into market-ready assistive technologies with the potential to transform lives across Africa.

We’re proud of all the teams who pitched! Each project demonstrated the power of youth-led innovation to shape a more inclusive future.

19/08/2025

Throwback to Day 1 of Hacking Disability at the University of Rwanda's Center of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and E-health.

The energy in the room was undeniable as participants pitched bold ideas, formed teams, and immediately began turning concepts into prototypes.

From the opening session to the first brainstorming sessions, the hackathon spirit of collaboration and creativity was alive from the very start.

06/08/2025

The pre-hackathon Workshop Day at Carnegie Mellon University Africa was all about insights, inspiration, and empathy.

Participants walked away with a deeper understanding of disability, accessibility, and inclusive design.

The conversations were honest.
The questions were bold.
And the mindset shift? Undeniable.

This powerful day of learning has set the tone for inclusive innovation, and we can’t wait to see what these changemakers create next!

Thank you to the team at Carnegie Mellon University Africa for empowering young innovators to design with inclusion in mind, and for supporting innovation and R&D in assistive technology.

31/07/2025

📣 It’s Workshop Day!
We’re live at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, kicking off the Hacking Disability pre-hackathon training sessions!

Today, our participants are diving into:
✅ Disability 101
✅ Software Accessibility 101
✅ Human-Centered Design
✅ Inclusive Design Thinking
✅ Assistive Tech Case Studies

These sessions are designed to equip our hackers with the insights they need to build inclusive and impactful solutions, because real impact starts with real understanding.

22/07/2025

Assistive technologies, ranging from bionic prosthetics to digital accessibility tools and VR for rehabilitation, are life-changing tools that empower persons with disabilities to live independently, access essential services, and participate fully in society. Yet across Africa, millions still lack access due to barriers in availability, affordability, and inclusive design.

By harnessing Africa’s untapped tech talent, we can reimagine these solutions to be affordable, local, and scalable.

Are you ready to build inclusive healthtech solutions that leave no one behind? Apply now for , a 3-day hackathon driving innovation at the intersection of disability, health, and technology.

We’re looking for:
💬 Persons with disabilities
👨🏿‍⚕️ Health professionals
👩🏾‍💻 Local developers & designers
🕵🏿‍♂️ Innovators & creatives
👩🏿‍🔬 Students & changemakers

📅 August 8-10, 2025
📍 Kigali, Rwanda
🔗 Link in Bio: https://forms.gle/BAjYYJHSo6ihELFY6

Hacking Disability, a featured initiative of the Africa HealthTech Summit 2025, is a 5-day hackathon designed to catalyze innovation at the intersection of Disability Inclusion, Health, and Technology. Bridging Afrika, in partnership with the University of Rwanda’s Center of Excellence in Biomedic...

03/12/2024

Yesterday, we had the privilege of visiting ASFA physiotherapy center. During our visit, we engaged with the incredible team working tirelessly to provide rehabilitation and mobility solutions for children with disabilities.

It was inspiring to witness their dedication and innovative approaches in action.


MAD4Africa NUDOR - National Union of Disabilities' Organisations of Rwanda National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Rwanda

03/12/2024

Celebrating the strength, resilience, and leadership of persons with disabilities this .

This year’s theme, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” reminds us to amplify voices for a truly inclusive future.



NUDOR - National Union of Disabilities' Organisations of Rwanda
National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Rwanda
Victoria Hand Project

29/11/2024

Rwanda's legal frameworks protect the rights of persons with disabilities, but gaps in implementation remain. Advocacy and action are essential to turn these commitments into real change.



NUDOR - National Union of Disabilities' Organisations of Rwanda
National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Rwanda

27/11/2024

Disability Awareness Week kicks off! From November 26th to December 3rd, we’re highlighting the importance of inclusion, empowerment, and equality in all spaces.



National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Rwanda
NUDOR - National Union of Disabilities' Organisations of Rwanda

26/11/2024

Disability Week 2024 kicks off with a press conference! Under the theme 'Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive Future,' the week highlights inclusion through advocacy in leadership, education, and mainstreaming.


NUDOR - National Union of Disabilities' Organisations of Rwanda
National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Rwanda

22/11/2024

Barriers like physical, attitudinal, and communication challenges limit the independence of people with disabilities, affecting their access to education, employment, and social participation. Working towards a more inclusive environment helps everyone thrive.

National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Rwanda
Victoria Hand Project
NUDOR - National Union of Disabilities' Organisations of Rwanda
Global Disability Innovation Hub