A graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he earned a degree in Development Communication, Oyamo is committed to using innovation to solve global problems, particularly those related to sustainability and waste management in the textile industry.

At Rethread Africa, Oyamo and his team are working on creating sustainable, bio-based synthetics from waste products like sugarcane and corn.

These agricultural by-products, which are often discarded, are transformed into high-performance textile fibers.

The fabrics produced by Rethread Africa are biodegradable, meaning they naturally decompose, significantly reducing their environmental impact compared to traditional synthetic materials like polyester.

This approach contributes to the circular economy by repurposing waste, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources, and lowering carbon emissions by up to 80% while using 99% less water than conventional cotton production.

Oyamo’s work addresses critical issues in the fashion industry, which is notorious for its high environmental impact, particularly in terms of water use, pollution, and waste.

By offering sustainable alternatives, Rethread Africa seeks to reduce the fashion industry’s ecological footprint and promote planet-positive solutions.

Oyamo’s innovative approach has garnered significant international attention and accolades.

In 2023, he was named one of the winners of the Global Change Award, an initiative by the H&M Foundation that supports groundbreaking innovations aimed at transforming the fashion industry.

Additionally, in 2022, Rethread Africa was one of the 13 winners of the Make It Circular Challenge, an innovation competition organized by What Design Can Do and the IKEA Foundation.

Oyamo is driven by a passion for sustainability and social impact. His vision for Rethread Africa is not only to reduce waste but also to create new economic opportunities, especially for small-holder farmers who supply agricultural waste to the company.

As the founder and CEO of Kosmotive, a social enterprise established in 2014, she has dedicated her career to addressing critical issues related to menstrual hygiene and women’s health access in Rwanda.

Born and raised in the northern province of Rwanda, Blandine’s journey into social entrepreneurship was shaped by her personal experiences with the challenges women face regarding reproductive health.

Blandine began her career as an intern at Contact FM radio station and later worked at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency.

Her background in communication and technology played a crucial role in her decision to establish Kosmotive, aiming to provide sustainable health solutions for women.

Under her leadership, Kosmotive has launched several innovative products, including the KosmoPad—an eco-friendly and affordable sanitary pad that has been distributed to over 54,000 girls.

This initiative helps girls continue their education during menstruation, thus combating period poverty.

In addition to the KosmoPad, Blandine has developed the KosmoHealth App, which offers vital information for pregnant women and connects them with healthcare services.

Blandine’s mission is rooted in the belief that access to reproductive health information and sustainable hygiene products is a fundamental right for every woman.

Through Kosmotive, she strives to tackle the systemic issues of period poverty, which affects many girls and women across sub-Saharan Africa.

Currently, her initiatives aim to produce reusable sanitary pads that not only reduce environmental waste but also provide substantial cost savings for women.

Blandine’s work has garnered significant recognition both locally and internationally. She was named one of the Top 50 African Business Heroes in 2021 and has been a finalist in various prestigious competitions.

He is the founder and CEO of Masseka Game Studio, a pioneering gaming company that creates video games rooted in African culture, history, and folklore.

Kossoko’s mission is to break the stereotypes surrounding Africa in the global tech and entertainment industries by offering authentic, culturally enriched gaming experiences that celebrate the continent’s rich heritage.

Born and raised in the Central African Republic, Kossoko was always fascinated by technology and storytelling.

He pursued studies in computer science in France, where he became passionate about using his technical skills to share African stories with a global audience.

His background, deeply rooted in African traditions, motivated him to create digital products that would serve as a bridge between African culture and modern technology.

In 2018, Kossoko founded Masseka Game Studio with a vision to transform how African narratives are portrayed in the gaming industry.

The studio’s name, “Masseka,” comes from the Sango word meaning “tales,” reflecting his goal to tell African stories through video games.

Kossoko’s studio focuses on mobile gaming, a strategic choice given the increasing penetration of smartphones across Africa.

One of his studio’s flagship creations is “Kissoro Tribal Game,” inspired by one of the oldest strategy games in Africa.

The game highlights the depth of African intellectual tradition, providing a platform for players to experience African strategic thinking while simultaneously learning about African cultures.

“Kissoro” became a breakthrough in the gaming world, receiving acclaim for how it combined tradition with modern gameplay mechanics.

Teddy Kossoko aims to tackle two major challenges: the underrepresentation of Africa in the global gaming and tech industries and the stereotypes often associated with African content.

Through his work, he seeks to change African Representation in Tech and Gaming and empower African creators.

Kossoko has received international recognition for his efforts to elevate African voices in the gaming world.

His work with “Kissoro Tribal Game” garnered attention from both gaming communities and cultural advocates, earning awards and nominations at various gaming and tech conferences.

His innovative approach has also sparked conversations about how technology can be used to combat cultural erasure and promote diversity.

She is the founder and CEO of Ambani Africa, a pioneering technology company that focuses on revolutionizing education by creating digital learning tools aimed at African children.

Lambani’s work centers around solving a significant challenge: the underrepresentation of African languages in educational content, particularly in the digital space.

Born and raised in South Africa, Lambani witnessed firsthand the linguistic diversity of the country and the continent.

Her passion for languages and education was cultivated from an early age, as she recognized the importance of maintaining cultural identity through language.

This realization would later drive her career, inspiring her to blend technology and education to preserve African languages for future generations.

Lambani founded Ambani Africa with a mission to create digital content that empowers African children to learn in their mother tongues.

The company’s platform offers a range of interactive educational tools, including mobile apps, games, and augmented reality experiences.

These tools are designed to make learning African languages fun, engaging, and accessible to children across the continent.

Through Ambani Africa, Lambani has developed educational content in multiple African languages, including isiZulu, isiXhosa, Tshivenda, and more, filling a critical gap in multilingual education.

Her work addresses a key issue: the lack of high-quality, engaging educational resources in indigenous African languages.

Many children in Africa are forced to learn in non-native languages, which can hinder their comprehension and academic success.

Ambani Africa is working to shift this narrative by providing learning tools that help children understand and express themselves in their native languages, thereby promoting literacy, cognitive development, and cultural pride.

Lambani has been recognized for her contributions to education and technology in Africa, winning several awards for innovation in edtech and social impact.

She continues to expand Ambani Africa’s reach, aiming to include more African languages and integrate more advanced technology like augmented reality and artificial intelligence to enhance the learning experience.

Her work is setting a precedent for how technology can be used to solve culturally significant challenges in education, positioning her as a leader in Africa’s growing tech and innovation landscape.

He is recognized for his innovative contributions to the e-commerce sector and his efforts to empower entrepreneurs by simplifying online store creation.

El Ghaissani began his entrepreneurial journey in 2010 by founding VayaStudio, a company focused on software development, ERP systems, and mobile applications.

His passion for media and technology led him to launch Next Media Morocco in 2016, where he currently serves as CEO.

In 2020, El Ghaissani co-founded YouCan, a tech solution designed to simplify online store creation for entrepreneurs.

YouCan acts as a one-stop shop for e-commerce merchants, offering a platform with tools and applications necessary to launch and manage an online store effectively.

What sets YouCan apart is its user-friendly approach, allowing even those without technical expertise to build and operate successful online stores.

The platform offers a range of features, including multi-currency converters for seamless international transactions, advertising pixel integration for targeted marketing, and SEO support to enhance page rankings and drive organic traffic.

Additionally, YouCan allows the integration of multiple Stripe accounts for secure transactions, providing a comprehensive suite of tools to guide entrepreneurs through every stage of their e-commerce journey.

El Ghaissani’s contributions to the tech and e-commerce industry are significant, not only in Morocco but also on a broader scale.

By founding companies like YouCan, he addresses the challenge of making e-commerce accessible to a wider audience, particularly those who lack technical expertise.

His efforts have empowered many entrepreneurs to enter the digital marketplace, fostering growth and innovation in the e-commerce sector.

Mohamed El Ghaissani’s work revolves around empowering individuals and businesses by leveraging technology to break down barriers.

Through his ventures, particularly YouCan, he aims to create an ecosystem where anyone can easily establish and grow an online business.

She is the founder of BioMec, an organization that creates high-performance prostheses made from recycled plastic collected from the ocean.

Marta’s journey into this field was inspired by a close friend’s struggle to obtain a prosthesis, which highlighted the lack of accessible and affordable artificial limbs in Mozambique.

Recognizing that 90% of amputees in her country faced similar challenges due to high costs and limited healthcare access, Marta set out to make a difference.

Marta’s work with BioMec is rooted in a commitment to sustainability and social impact.

By using plastic waste, such as six discarded bottles or 250 grams of fishing nets, to construct prostheses, she addresses two critical issues: providing affordable prosthetic solutions and reducing environmental pollution.

Her approach not only gives individuals with mobility challenges a chance to lead fuller lives but also promotes recycling and environmental conservation.

BioMec’s prostheses are custom-made to suit individual needs, using advanced technology to enhance compatibility and comfort.

The organization’s mission extends beyond providing artificial limbs; it aims to offer people the ability to live without limitations, improving their confidence and productivity.

Marta’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. She was honored with the Commonwealth Points of Light Award, presented on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

This recognition was a testament to her innovative approach to combining sustainability with life-changing biomedical solutions.

Marta aspires to create prosthetic solutions that offer individuals a life without limitations.

Her goal is to produce these devices in a way that reduces costs, improves access, and increases comfort, while also aiming to reuse a significant portion of plastic waste from Mozambique’s most polluted beaches.

Her passion for solving problems, improving lives, and advocating for environmental sustainability continues to drive her entrepreneurial journey, making her a true inspiration in her community and beyond.

As the co-founder and CEO of DrugStoc, he is at the forefront of a revolution that aims to solve some of the continent’s most pressing healthcare challenges, including access to quality medicines, combating counterfeit drugs, and improving the overall efficiency of the pharmaceutical distribution network.

Opara’s journey into the healthcare sector began with a strong academic background, having pursued a degree in medicine, which gave him firsthand experience with the healthcare system’s complexities and shortcomings.

This foundation in medicine equipped him with an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare providers, especially in sourcing and managing pharmaceutical supplies.

He co-founded DrugStoc with the vision of creating a robust and reliable supply chain for pharmaceuticals in Africa.

The idea stemmed from his experiences as a medical professional, where he encountered frequent disruptions in the supply of essential medications.

He realized that these supply chain inefficiencies were contributing to a larger problem: the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in the market.

DrugStoc was established to tackle these issues by providing a technology-driven solution. The platform connects healthcare providers with verified suppliers, ensuring a seamless and transparent process for sourcing genuine medications.

By leveraging technology, DrugStoc enhances the efficiency of the pharmaceutical supply chain, reduces costs, and minimizes the risk of counterfeit drugs entering the market.

Under Opara’s leadership, DrugStoc has grown to become a critical player in the healthcare sector, improving access to quality medicines for clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies across Nigeria and beyond.

Through DrugStoc, Opara aims to create a healthcare ecosystem where every patient has access to safe, effective, and affordable medications.

This vision aligns with the broader goal of achieving universal healthcare coverage in Africa, where many people still struggle to access basic healthcare services.

She is renowned for her commitment to leveraging digital technologies to drive economic development in Africa.

Brochec began her career in the 2000s, becoming one of the first webmasters in Congo, earning her the nickname “Mama Digital.”

With expertise in communication, management, and digital marketing, she has been deeply involved in promoting digital transformation in Congo and beyond.

Kriss is the founder of the Africa Digital Academy, which offers training programs aimed at empowering communities, including women, entrepreneurs, and farmers, by teaching them how to harness digital tools for their benefit.

The academy has successfully created over 200 websites and trained numerous individuals across various sectors.

Brochec is also a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, pushing for greater inclusion of women in the tech industry and helping to break down barriers in the digital space.

Her work has focused on closing the digital divide in Africa, and she is also a vocal supporter of initiatives that help foster digital inclusion, especially for women in Congo, to create more opportunities in tech.