Eritrea - Eritrean Inventor And Entrepreneur Seyoum Goitom

Harnessing nature's energy entrepreneur of this week is an inventor from Eritrea, who's coming up with gadgets that protect the environment and make money.

At a small workshop in Keren, Eritrea, Seyoum Goitom is busy at work. The 38 year old is one of the most knowledgeable mechanics in this town. Seyoum taught himself nearly everything he knows about repairing gadgets.

After experimenting with recycled bits and pieces Seyoum has discovered a new talent -- inventing.

In no time at all Seyoum also created a welding machine and this lawn mower. It's especially handy as it tidies his compound without leaving behind a mess.

Seyoum hasn't been able to sell any of his creations even those that are popular with his little fans. But he isn't discouraged; he hopes his next project will not only make him some money but help save the environment as well.

About 95 % of Eritrea's trees have vanished, mostly because of a growing population - and probably also because the environment simply wasn't a priority during Eritrea's thirty-year war for independence from Ethiopia and subsequent border conflicts.

Believing he can make a difference Seyoum got funding from the Dutch embassy for his latest idea: a solar powered cooker. Its not finished yet but he was happy to show Africa Journal the work in progress. As it uses the suns energy, he's sure the cooker will convince some Eritreans to stop cutting down trees for firewood.

Seyoum Goitum's ultimate dream is to mass-produce his inventions one day, so that Eritreans can also have a taste of home made technology.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Eritrea
• Eritrean
• Asmara
• Somalia
• Somali
• Ethiopia
• Sudan
• Sudanese
• Ethiopian
• London
• Rome
• Holland
• Tigray
• Stockholm
• UN
• Google

[BeauJames59]

Wow,

This is so humbling to see what a person can do with so few resources!

[lastimehere]

from a black american. i salute the young inventor. it is people like him who will shape the new world.

[TubeExpression]

he looks like Einstein...a little bit! :)

[arsenalkeren]

Well done wedi Goitom, and thanx for the Dutch embassy for trying to help the great work. I hope he does get all the funds needed.

China (Keren Boy)

[waffiki]

a great inventor, a great work and hope you will succeed greatly and make not only eriteria but the whole africa proud.

thank you for sharing squeky11.

[EritreanPrince1990]

Smart Eritrean I look forward to his new inventions.

[Oldonyiolenkai]

Africa is moving in the right direction.Truly, the the continent has countless sons and daughters with the potential shown in the video.Goitom is a dazzling example who can inspire Africans to create self-sufficient societies. I hope Africans of the diaspora would participate in developing the continent through funding creative activities as that shown in the video.Further,it is unfortunate

that we have to rely on Europeans for such assistance;a people who've never helped another but themselves.

[azraaell]

it like my house this and i live in uk lol, he should paint the satalite dish white for best light reflection

[bigwoman09]

WOW, it is simply amazing, what a man! This shows a little peace can go a long way. GOd Bless.