Earth Tech Futures Cofounders Return to Ghana for the 2024 Engineering in Africa Conference

In 2024, Earth Tech Futures cofounders Joshua Brome and Robert Turner returned to Ghana to participate in the Engineering in Africa Conference, hosted in honor of the 25th anniversary of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Ghana. Their presence was rooted in a belief that engineering must evolve as a creative, community-embedded practice—one that is as much about design and cultural relevance as it is about technical rigor.

At the conference, Brome and Turner shared insights on human-centered design, social impact entrepreneurship, and the power of art-infused engineering to build meaningful, scalable solutions in African contexts. Their sessions encouraged attendees to see engineering not just as problem-solving, but as an act of storytelling—a way to craft futures that are beautiful, just, and rooted in the needs of the people.

Throughout the trip, the Earth Tech Futures team deepened ties with Ghanaian creatives, engineers, and educators, laying the groundwork for new cross-border collaborations. They met with university faculty, student leaders, and local makers to explore opportunities for co-created design labs and community-engaged innovation spaces.

From interactive sessions and campus roundtables to informal convenings with cultural leaders, their time in Ghana affirmed the importance of building transnational ecosystems where design and engineering are led by the people they aim to serve.

In keeping with Earth Tech Futures’ ethos, this trip centered listening, cultural exchange, and collaboration—not imposition. Whether through sketchbooks, circuit boards, or storytelling circles, the message was clear: the future of engineering in Africa is creative, co-designed, and community-powered.

Stay connected as Earth Tech Futures expands its presence across the continent and prepares to launch its Africa-based Venture Studio—a space where design, equity, and innovation meet.