He is the CEO of Flat6Labs, a leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm in the MENA region and has over 16 years of experience in technology, investments, entrepreneurship, and management. Before joining Flat6Labs, Ramez was responsible for building and managing the mobile app business at Sarmady, a Vodafone company.

Ramez is a board member of the Global Accelerator Network and a mentor at several startup accelerators and incubators. As CEO of Flat6Labs, Ramez has led the firm’s expansion into new markets, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Tunisia, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Jordan and has helped to grow the firm’s portfolio.

Ramez is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation in the MENA region. He believes that startups have the potential to create jobs, drive economic growth, and solve some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

She is a role model for women and girls everywhere, and she is making a positive impact in Africa and beyond. Oteh previously served as the Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank from 2015 to 2018. She began her career in the private sector, working as a consultant for the Harvard Institute for International Development and Centre Point Investments Limited of Nigeria.

She joined the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 1992, where she held various senior positions, including Group Treasurer and Group Vice President. In 2010, Oteh was appointed Director General of the SEC, Nigeria. In this role, she was responsible for regulating the country’s capital markets. She played a key role in rebuilding the Nigerian capital markets after the global financial crisis.

In 2015, Oteh was appointed Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank. In this role, she was responsible for managing the World Bank’s debt portfolio and assets. She also played a leading role in the development of the World Bank’s financial instruments and policies. Oteh is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), the Africa Investor Capital Market Personality of the Year, and the New African Woman Award in Finance and Banking.

She is a passionate advocate for financial inclusion and economic development in Africa and a strong believer in the power of women to transform their communities and countries. 

In her early career, Byanyima was involved in political activism and later served as a Member of Parliament in Uganda. Her passion for global equity and social progress led her to helm Oxfam International, a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

In 2019, Winnie took on the pivotal role of Executive Director at UNAIDS, where her efforts are transforming the fight against HIV/AIDS. Her vision is also helping to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and ensure access to vital treatment for all.

Winnie’s tireless advocacy for gender equality has inspired countless individuals worldwide, and her work serves as a beacon of hope for women and girls, reaffirming that every voice matters and every dream is achievable.

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the adult literacy rate in Africa was 61.6% in 2020. This means that about 38.4% of adults in Africa cannot read or write.

There is a significant gender gap in literacy rates in Africa, with the female literacy rate at 56.3%, while the male literacy rate at 66.7%.

This gap is widest in the Arab States region, where the female literacy rate is 42.6% and the male literacy rate is 77.7%.

Literacy rates also vary widely across countries in Africa. The highest literacy rates are found in Mauritius (92.7%), Seychelles (91.9%), and South Africa (91.4%).

There are a number of factors that contribute to low literacy rates in Africa. These include poverty, lack of access to education, and gender discrimination.

Educational technology (EdTech) companies and initiatives have been actively working to bridge the education gap in Africa and other regions facing similar challenges.

These efforts are aimed at improving access to quality education, addressing issues related to literacy, and enhancing overall educational outcomes.

At Empower Africa, we believe in the incredible, untapped potential that lies within the hearts and minds of people across this beautiful continent.

Last Friday, on World Literacy Day, we were reminded once again of the power of knowledge and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities.

Today, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on 30 exceptional individuals who are leading the charge in bridging the literacy gap in Africa.

These remarkable changemakers are at the forefront of the educational technology (edtech) sector, harnessing innovation and passion to empower countless lives through the gift of literacy.

Here’s to our EdTech Heroes, the champions of literacy in Africa!

1. Adewale Yusuf – Co-Founder at AltSchool Africa
2. Uche Onuora – Co-Founder @ HITCH
3. Betelhem Dessie – CEO, iCog Anyone Can Code
4. Claire Mongeau – Founder, M-Shule
5. Tonee Ndungu – Founder and C.E.O of Kytabu Inc.
6. Adrien Bouillot – Founder – Chalkboard Education
7. Sam Gichuru – Founder & CEO
8. Fred Swaniker – Founder of African Leadership Academy
9. Yahya Bouhlel – Founder & CEO – Go My Code
10. Sim Shagaya – Founder of uLesson
11. Eric Pignot – Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Enko Education
12. Hertzy Kabeya – Founder & CEO at The Student Hub
13. Ashley Immanuel – Co-Founder of Semicolon
14. Samy Mwamba – Co-Founder of itot Africa
15. Jennifer Cotter Otieno – Founder & CEO of Education Design Unlimited
16. Muliande Alex – Founder at EduOnline
17. Doris Ratego – Co-Founder at Koding & Kahawa Developers Community
18. Tsepo Ngwenyama – Portfolio Head at Injini
19. Grover Abrahams – EdTech Specialist
20. Maged Harby – GM at EdVentures
21. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji – Founder at Passnownow
22. David De Villiers – CEO at Uni4 EdTech
23. Hossam Taher – Founder at Orcars
24. Afeez Olalekan – Founder, LACED Africa
25. Muhammad Gawish – Co-Founder, iSchool
26. Salim Addih – Co-Founder, AlgoSchool Morocco
27. Khadija El-Bedweihy – Founder, Praxilabs
28. Felix Malombe – Executive Director @STEAMLabs Africa
29. Dr. Adetola Salau – EdTech Expert
30. Precious Ajoonu – EdTech Thought Leader