Our Organization
Africa Future Engineers Foundation is a U.S.-based charitable organization dedicated to preparing Africa’s young people for the future through practical education and hands-on opportunities in STEM, computer programming, electronics, robotics, renewable energy, engineering, and technology.
The Foundation is recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
IRS 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization
EIN: 41-5143906
Our mission is to expand access to knowledge, practical skills, mentorship, and technology so that young people can develop the confidence and abilities to become engineers, technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers who can help shape Africa’s future.
Who We Are
Africa Future Engineers Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing Africa’s young people for the future through practical STEM education, technology training, and hands-on learning.
We believe that young people can become powerful agents of change when they have access to knowledge, practical skills, mentorship, and opportunities to create. Our goal is to help students discover their potential and develop the confidence to become engineers, technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers.
Our History of Service
Africa Future Engineers Foundation is a new U.S.-based charitable organization established to build on a history of educational, technological, renewable energy, and community development initiatives in Africa.
Before establishing Africa Future Engineers Foundation, its founder supported a number of initiatives in Ethiopia through Wonfel Aid Inc., a nonprofit organization.
Beginning in 2023, an Arduino training program was launched in Ethiopia, and more than 3500 students have since participated in hands-on programming and electronics training.
Support for technical education also included donations of solar and wind energy simulation training equipment to Bahir Dar University and Woldia University in Ethiopia, helping students gain practical experience with renewable energy technologies.
Other community development efforts included the donation of two tractors for a Tractor for Villages program designed to support agricultural communities.
Small business development was also supported through seed funding to help individuals launch small businesses and create opportunities for economic self-reliance.
Our Leadership
Balager Ademe
Founder & President
Balager Ademe retired from Reynolds American in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after 40 years of service as a Master Scientist. Throughout his career, he developed extensive experience in scientific research, engineering, and technology.
Public patent databases, including the USPTO and Justia, indicate that his work as an inventor associated with R.J. Reynolds and RAI Services includes more than 100 patents, spanning granted U.S. patents, pending U.S. patent applications, and international patent family filings through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and foreign patent offices.
Today, he is applying his experience in science, engineering, and technology to help expand practical STEM education and hands-on engineering opportunities for young people in Africa.
Dr. Sydney Keith Seymour
Board Member
Dr. Sydney K. Seymour is the Founder and President of SEYCONTECH, LLC, an engineering and technology consulting firm dedicated to supporting industrial development and technology transfer in Sub-Saharan Africa. With more than 30 years of global, multidisciplinary experience, Dr. Seymour has led high-impact strategic initiatives across biotechnology, manufacturing, agricultural technology, and biopharmaceuticals. His leadership experience includes executive roles in Engineering and Operations, Instrumentation and Electronic Development, and as Principal Engineer in Technology and Process Development. He currently serves as a consultant for the Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Dr. Seymour earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from North Carolina State University (NCSU). He also completed an engineering research internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A prolific inventor and researcher, he holds 15 U.S. patents and one international patent spanning diverse industrial and biological applications. In 2022, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the NCSU Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
Beyond his corporate and institutional consulting work, Dr. Seymour is deeply committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of African innovators and engineers. He actively supports hands-on STEM education and robotics initiatives for students in grades 6–12 across Ethiopia and Senegal. He has also served as Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Boards for both North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University in Biological and Biosystems Engineering.
Dr. Seymour focuses on helping young engineers and institutions bridge technical skill gaps and develop sustainable solutions for the African continent.
Evon Crooks
Board Member
Evon Crooks retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after 31 years of service, where he served as Principal Scientist and Director. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the City University of New York and an M.S. in Chemistry from Long Island University.
Evon is the inventor on approximately 120 U.S. patents, along with an equivalent number of European and Asian patents, primarily in the areas of combustion chemistry and filtration applications. He also served as Chairman of the Central North Carolina Section of the American Chemical Society from 1994 to 1996.
Evon has a strong commitment to community and international service. He has served on the board of elders at his church and has led and participated in mission outreach programs in Europe, Africa, Jamaica, Cuba, and North America.
Evon is President of EC Brangus LLC, a cattle farm specializing in premium genetics for commercial cattle operations across the southeastern United States. He develops premium genetics through artificial insemination and embryo transfer to optimize specific genetic traits within the EC Brangus herd and also serves as a consultant to other farms.
Evon is passionate about providing clean drinking water around the world. Drawing on his chemistry expertise, he has developed and installed water-filtration systems in Cuba, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Jamaica.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Evon is committed to mentoring both young people and adults. He has managed, coached, and refereed youth soccer and is passionate about helping young people develop their skills, confidence, and potential.
Jannell Rowe
Board Member
Jannell Rowe is a retired corporate leader and dedicated community advocate with a lifelong commitment to service. She completed a distinguished 37-year career at Reynolds American, where she advanced from analytical chemist to Senior Director, leading the Analytical Chemistry Department.
Jannell holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from North Carolina State University and a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Today, Jannell channels her leadership experience into community service and philanthropy across Forsyth County, North Carolina. She serves on the Board of Directors of Springwell Network Inc. and actively volunteers with numerous nonprofit organizations, including Samaritan Ministries, Sunnyside Ministry, Heart Math Tutoring, Meals on Wheels, and Senior Services.
Deeply committed to helping others, Jannell is a member of the Winston-Salem Konnoak Hills Lions Club, where she is a trained Kidsight early-childhood vision-screening volunteer. She is also an active member of Friedberg Moravian Church, where she serves on its Christian Education Board.
Whether supporting older adults, mentoring young people, or helping address food insecurity, Jannell is driven by a strong commitment to giving back and strengthening her community.
Mitchell Edwin Jones
Board Member & Treasurer
Mitchell Edwin Jones is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Carolina and holds both a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He has more than 25 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting, along with seven years of experience providing individual and business tax advisory and preparation services.
Our Mission
Africa Future Engineers Foundation is committed to preparing Africa’s young people to become tomorrow’s engineers, technology innovators, and problem-solvers. We provide access to practical STEM education, technology training, and hands-on learning opportunities that help young people develop the knowledge, skills, creativity, and confidence to shape Africa’s future.
Our Vision
We envision an Africa where every young person has the opportunity to access quality STEM and technology education, develop practical skills, and participate in building innovative solutions for their communities and the future of the continent.
Our Values
Africa Future Engineers Foundation values curiosity, creativity, integrity, practical learning, collaboration, and service. We believe that education should not only provide knowledge, but also empower young people to use their skills to solve real problems and improve their communities.
Our Approach
Africa Future Engineers Foundation uses a hands-on, project-based approach to learning. Students learn by building, testing, experimenting, and solving practical problems rather than relying only on classroom instruction. Our programs encourage teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and learning from both successes and failures.
Our Commitment
Africa Future Engineers Foundation is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to learn, build, and innovate. We seek to expand access to practical STEM and technology education, support talented students, and develop programs that can create lasting benefits for individuals, families, and communities across Africa.
Who We Serve
Our programs are designed primarily for young people in underserved African communities, with an emphasis on students who have limited access to practical STEM, technology, and engineering education. We aim to create opportunities for young people to discover their potential, develop practical skills, and prepare for future education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and related fields.
Our Impact
Africa Future Engineers Foundation measures success by the opportunities we create for young people to learn, develop practical skills, and apply technology to real-world challenges. Through our programs, we aim to help students build confidence, pursue further education, and contribute to innovative solutions in their communities.
Our Focus
Africa Future Engineers Foundation focuses on practical STEM education, computer programming and coding, electronics, renewable-energy technology, and engineering innovation. Our programs are designed to give young people hands-on experience with technologies and skills that can help them create solutions for their communities and prepare for future careers.
Our Team
Africa Future Engineers Foundation is supported by a team of educators, engineers, technology professionals, mentors, and community partners who share a commitment to expanding educational opportunities for young people. Our team brings practical experience, technical knowledge, and a passion for helping students learn, create, and succeed.