Africa has never been short of brilliant minds—innovators who boldly challenge the status quo. In tech, they are the trailblazers building unicorns from scratch, journeying from the bustling streets of Lagos and Nairobi to earning global recognition on platforms like Forbes 30 Under 30.
These individuals, just like you, once wrestled with doubts and fears. Some grew up in slums; others faced countless failures. Yet, they dared to dream big, endured sleepless nights, and held on to their vision of reshaping Africa’s narrative.
Join us as we explore the incredible stories of young African tech talents who turned their challenges into stepping stones to greatness.
Learning a tech skill can be a battle on some days, especially when you lack the luxury of the resources required. Sustainable growth in tech requires sheer determination and an undying will to keep learning. Here are some stories to inspire you:
Nathan Nwachukwu and Maxwell Maduka, both 21-year-olds from Nigeria, have shattered the conventional age barriers in entrepreneurship by founding Terrahaptix, a startup focused on hardware solutions.
Their venture into the tech world at such a young age demonstrates that innovation does not wait for age or experience to catch up. Terrahaptix’s work in drone technology technology shows a keen understanding of the market’s needs, addressing them through creativity and technical acumen. Their story reveals that when it comes to tech entrepreneurship, determination and vision can outweigh years of experience. They’ve shown that young Africans are not only capable of competing in the global tech arena but can also lead in creating solutions that have local and potentially international applications.
Kathleen Siminyu’s journey from a linguistics student to a leading figure in speech technology in Africa is a story of inspiration and innovation. After studying linguistics, Kathleen turned her academic focus towards technology, particularly in the realm of speech recognition for African languages. She co-founded Lelapa AI, a company dedicated to building AI models for African languages, which are often underrepresented in tech.
Her work addresses the significant challenge of language inclusivity in technology, where most AI systems are designed for Western languages. Through her efforts, she’s not only contributed to the preservation and digital recognition of African languages but also opened up new avenues for tech accessibility and literacy across the continent. Kathleen’s story is a powerful example of how one can leverage their background in humanities to make a substantial impact in tech, demonstrating that innovation can come from unexpected places.
Nthabiseng Mosia’s path from a law student to a tech innovator illustrates a unique blend of legal insight and technological disruption.
She founded Easy Solar, a company that focuses on providing affordable solar energy solutions to off-grid communities in Africa. Mosia’s approach was fueled by the realization that many African households and small businesses lack access to reliable electricity, impacting their productivity and quality of life. By integrating fintech solutions for payment systems with solar technology, she has made solar energy more accessible, thus tackling both energy poverty and financial inclusion.
Rose Goslinga transitioned from a career in journalism to becoming a tech entrepreneur with her company, Wazobia Technologies.
Focused on agriculture, her platform, AgriVie, uses AI and data analytics to provide farmers with actionable insights for better crop management, market access, and overall farm productivity. Goslinga saw the disconnect between traditional farming practices and the modern technological solutions available, aiming to bridge this gap to enhance food security and economic empowerment in rural areas. Her work has not only improved farming practices but also empowered smallholder farmers by giving them access to information that was previously out of reach.
To the young African dreaming in the quiet corners of hardship, remember: your background is not a barrier but a canvas on which you can paint your future. The stories you’ve heard today are proof that with passion, the right skills, and the courage to innovate, you too can change the narrative. TechCrush is here to make your dream a reality. Explore our Masterclasses and be on the lookout for our next cohort of #Tech4AfricansScholarship, a program tailored to help you achieve your tech dreams without breaking the bank.
This is insightful and motivating, says so much about the phrase “the only limit you have is you” If can picture it you can bring it to reality