Since Monday, March 3, 2025, the University of Lomé has been organizing the third edition of Crunch Time for technological innovation, an initiative led by the École Polytechnique de Lomé (EPL). The event, which will run until March 7, is inspired by the model developed by the Université Technologique de Belfort-Montbéliard (UTBM) and aims to strengthen ties between businesses and the university institution by offering students, mainly those enrolled in master’s programs, the opportunity to design digital solutions adapted to the challenges posed by local economic players.
For one week, participants are asked to demonstrate creativity and mobilize their technical skills to develop concrete solutions in response to the needs expressed by several Togolese companies. The initiative thus promotes interdisciplinary collaboration by allowing immersion in the professional world, a system that is part of the university’s desire to better prepare students for the demands of the job market.
This year, several companies have raised various issues, including Bboxx, which is seeking the development of a solar-powered automatic irrigation system to enhance farm watering efficiency. Meanwhile, the Société de Transport de Lomé (SOTRAL) is looking for a digital solution to streamline the advance booking process for transport tickets for its customers. Additionally, the National Agency for Civil Aviation (ANAC-Togo) is focused on creating an algorithm that can automatically identify foreign objects on the nation’s airfields, addressing a critical concern for aviation safety.
See more: Togo: the 2nd general census of companies has started for two months
The inaugural Crunch Time for technological innovation took place in March 2023, building on the collaboration with UTBM (University of Technology of Belfort Montbéliard). According to EPL management, “This event provides students with the chance to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges, reinforcing the university’s role as a significant contributor to innovation and local economic development.”
