MMUST’s Student-Led ‘AfyaLink’ Innovation Qualifies to Compete in Geneva After Triumph at the African Regional Finals of the Sustainability Olympiad

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s ‘AfyaLink’ student innovation has advanced to compete in Geneva, Switzerland, following triumph at the just-concluded inaugural African Regional Finals of the Sustainability Olympiad (SOL). The regional finals, which took place from 21^st to 24^th August, 2026 at the United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa), featured twenty-four (24) exceptional innovation projects from Universities and innovation institutions across the continent. ‘AfyaLink’ emerged among the top five (5) innovations selected to proceed to the SOL global finals in November, 2026.

At the regional finals, MMUST showcased its strength in digital health, emergency care and technology-enabled healthcare delivery with three (3) innovation teams. The participating innovations were; AfyaLink (A real-time referral platform connecting ambulance teams, nurses, and hospitals for seamless patient transfers); AfyaRoot Rural Health Intelligence (An offline-first mobile health platform bringing medical guidance and emergency support to rural communities); and SensioNeo (A low-cost wearable neonatal monitor alerting nurses via SMS when vitals turn critical). Collectively, these innovations highlighted the University’s ability to develop solutions grounded in real African needs.

MMUST’s Dr. Tecla Sum (in green suit) and Dr. Edwin Kanda (fourth from right) with other officials at the inaugural African Regional Finals of the Sustainability Olympiad.

Notably, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher Ngacho, attended the SOL regional finals to support the MMUST teams and their innovation process. “His presence demonstrated the University’s commitment to nurturing innovation and providing institutional leadership for young innovators,” says the Director of Science Park, Innovation and Incubation Centre (SPIIC), and Founder of the MMUST Innovation Academy, Dr. Tecla Psusma Sum.

The innovation leadership and mentorship team that accompanied the student innovators to the regional finals comprised Dr. Sum, Dr. Collins Odoyo and Dr. Edwin Kanda. Dr. Sum participated as a panelist during a knowledge-exchange session on ‘Bridging Sustainability and Entrepreneurship in Africa’, where experts explored how African innovations can move beyond competitions and develop into sustainable enterprises with meaningful societal impact. Meanwhile, Dr. Odoyo and Dr. Kanda served on the jury panel, contributing their expertise to the evaluation of the innovative solutions from the competing African teams. “Our participation placed MMUST not only among the competing institutions, but also among the experts, mentors, judges and thought leaders shaping the continental innovation discourse,” adds the Director-SPIIC.

Student innovators enjoy a trip to the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi courtesy of the Sustainability Olympiad.

Certainly, this achievement continues to position MMUST as the cradle of innovation in Africa, where research and academic knowledge are deliberately translated into practical solutions with potential for community, national, continental and global impact. We congratulate the ‘AfyaLink’ innovation team on their outstanding victory and wish them all the best as they represent the University at the SOL Global Finals in Geneva!