Butterfly Works

Kenya, 2010

'A hero can only be a hero when he lives in a heroically MADE world.'

In this, its second year, Maker Faire Africa is excited to bring its celebration of the “African Inventor” to Kenya, at the University of Nairobi, on August the 27th and 28th, to feature the creative talents & business acumen of Africa’s most innovative young inventors.


When this inspiring 2-day event is over, these “makers” will have reimagined and reorganized themselves into a vibrant network of entrepreneurs that recognize they have the knowledge, the resources and the opportunities to forge a unique foundation for a modern African manufacturing space.


Who are our makers? A compendium of handcrafters that hail from Africa’s tiniest of villages to her most expansive urban burgs. What they have in common is an unwavering commitment to origin & authenticity. They are a fellowship of creators who believe making is the most efficient form of manufacturing, and that manufacturing is the route to establishing an African middle class. They’re original. Audacious. Quirky. At times, downright genius. Their inventions have largely gone unnoticed or ignored. Until now. Coming together at Maker Faire Africa, they’re taking the first steps toward recovering what they believe will redefine their future; relentless ingenuity.

2010 organizing team
Emeka Okafor, Timbuktu Chronicles (Executive Director/Curator)
Mark Grimes, founder of Nedspace (Business Development/Finance)
Emer Beamer, founder of Butterfly Works (Communications)
Henry Barnor, co-founder of Afrobotics (Tech Operations and ‘Makers’ Liaison)
Erik Hersman (Afrigadget and Ushahidi) (Producer/Operations)